Reza Ghotaslou
1*, Behnaz Salahi Eshlaghi
2, Fatemeh Yeganeh
1, Alireza Yaghoubi
31 Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
2 Razi Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
3 Cardiovascular Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze a PCR based approach for detection of infective endocarditis in Azerbaijan.
Methods: Ten aortic valves, 8 mitral valves and 2 tricuspid valves, were analyzed for the presence of bacterial infective endocarditis using Gram staining, culture and PCR methods.
Results: Of the 20 valves, 5 and 4 cases were positive by Gram staining and culture assay, respectively. Bacterial DNA was positive in 12 of the 20 valves (60%) by broad-spectrum PCR. Direct sequencing for species identification was possible in 10 cases.
Conclusion: PCR and direct molecular identification of the etiological agents responsible for infective endocarditis may enable specific treatment to begin at an earlier phase of the disease.