The utility of 16S RRNA gene PCR and sequencing in endocarditis: an 8 year review

Abstract

BackgroundUp to 31% of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) have negative blood cultures, often due to prior antibiotic therapy or fastidious organisms. In surgically treated patients, 16S rDNA PCR applied to excised heart valve tissue is a useful tool for determining the bacterial aetiology of endocarditis. We sought to evaluate the clinical utility of this technique by reviewing data over the last 8 years.MethodsPatients who underwent cardiac surgery and had valve specimens submitted for 16S rDNA PCR at Auckland City Hospital between January 2004 and July 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical records and laboratory databases were used to classify each patient according to modif..