Feasibility of real-time polymerase chain reaction in whole blood to identify Streptococcus pneumoniae in patients with community-acquired pneumonia

We assessed a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the lytA and ply gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Both assays were applied to whole blood samples from 28 adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Our findings suggest the lytA PCR is more sensitive, and the quantitative aspect of the assay shows promise as an aid to clinical judgment. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.