PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Kucerova, Petra
AU  - Cermakova, Zuzana
AU  - Pliskova, Lenka
AU  - Pavlis, Oto
AU  - Kubickova, Pavla
AU  - Kleprlikova, Hana
AU  - Valenta, Zbynek
TI  - Our experience using real-time PCR for the detection of the gene that encodes the superficial lipoprotein LipL32 of the pathogenic leptospires to confirm the acute form of human leptospirosis
DP  - 2013 Dec 12
TA  - Biomedical papers
PG  - 387--391
VI  - 157
IP  - 4
AID - 10.5507/bp.2012.109
IS  - 12138118
AB  - Aims: To examine biological materials (blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid) of patients with suspected leptospirosis using real-time PCR for detecting the gene that codes the superficial LipL32 lipoprotein, and to evaluate the contribution of the real-time PCR method for the laboratory diagnosis of the acute form of leptospirosis.
Material and Methods: During the monitored period of April 2010 - December 2011, a total of 340 biological materials samples were examined (177x blood plasma, 88x urine, 68x, cerebrospinal fluid, 6x bronchoalveolar lavage and 1x sputum) from 216 patients with suspected leptospirosis using real-time PCR LipL32 gene detection.
Results: From the mentioned 216 patients suspected of leptospirosis, 8 patients were evaluated as being PCR LipL32 positive, from which 14 positive biological materials originated (9 x urine, 4x blood and 1x liquor).
Conclusion: As demonstrated in the study, the real-time PCR method for detecting the gene for the superficial lipoprotein LipL32 is an appropriate, quick and reliable method for the diagnosis of the acute form of leptospirosis.