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Diagnostic Value of Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis of Skin Biopsies in Purpura Fulminans
Author(s) -
Beau Caroline,
Vlassova Natalia,
Sarlangue Jean,
Brissaud Olivier,
LéautéLabrèze Christine,
Boralevi Franck
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pediatric dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.542
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1525-1470
pISSN - 0736-8046
DOI - 10.1111/pde.12181
Subject(s) - purpura fulminans , medicine , polymerase chain reaction , skin biopsy , antibiotics , biopsy , microbiological culture , pathology , dermatology , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , bacteria , biology , biochemistry , genetics
Even though prompt diagnosis and treatment of purpura fulminans ( PF ) is essential to reduce mortality, early administration of antibiotics may preclude identification of the causative agent by standard bacterial cultures and thus render definitive diagnosis impossible. Here we present a case of an infant with PF and negative bacterial cultures for whom polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) analysis of a cutaneous biopsy specimen obtained 4 days after initiation of antibiotics identified the genomic sequence of N eisseria meningitidis genogroup C . When bacterial cultures fail to provide useful information, PCR of skin biopsy specimens can be a valuable diagnostic tool in PF .