Use of sodC versus ctrA for real-time polymerase chain reaction-based detection of Neisseria meningitidis in sterile body fluids

• Published in: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Vol. 108; no. 2; pp. 246 - 247
• Main Authors: Higa, Fábio Takenori, Fukasawa, Lucila Okuyama, Gonçalves, Maria Gisele, Salgado, Maristela Marques, Lemos, Ana Paula Silva de, Harrison, Lee H, Oliveira, Priscilla Lima de, Silva, Carla Naufal da, Sacchi, Claudio Tavares
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde 01-04-2013; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)
• Subjects: Bacterial Proteins - genetics; Body Fluids - microbiology; Carrier State - microbiology; Humans; meningitis; Meningococcal Infections - diagnosis; N. meningitidis diagnostics; Neisseria meningitidis; Neisseria meningitidis - genetics; Neisseria meningitidis - isolation & purification; PARASITOLOGY; Pharynx - microbiology; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Short Communications; sodC-based RT-PCR; TROPICAL MEDICINE; N. meningitidis diagnostics; sodC-based RT-PCR; meningitis
• ISSN: 0074-0276; 1678-8060; 1678-8060; 0074-0276
• DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276108022013020

We evaluated the use of a newly described sodC-based real-time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for detecting Neisseria meningitidis in normally sterile sites, such as cerebrospinal fluid and serum. The sodC-based RT-PCR assay has an advantage over ctrA for detecting nongroupable N. meningitidis isolates, which are commonly present in asymptomatic pharyngeal carriage. However, in our study, sodC-based RT-PCR was 7.5% less sensitive than ctrA. Given the public health impact of possible false-negative results due to the use of the sodC target gene alone, sodC-based RT-PCR for the diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis should be used with caution.