Summaries of Presentations at the 32nd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy

Wednesday, October 14, 1992

10

1:30 P.M. P.T. (4:30 P.M. E.T.)
Laboratory Test Detects Hidden Yeast Infection #1627 Poster
A laboratory test using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) offers a sensitive and specific method to
diagnose infections of the yeast Candida species that lie deep within the body. The yeast normally
lives in the body without causing disease, but in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as
AIDS patients, infections can develop.
The investigators developed the test that detected the infections in 11 of 14 patients, five of whom
were infected by C. albicans, three with C. tropicalis, three with C. parapsilosis, one with C. glabrata,
one with C. krusei and one with C. albicans and parapsilosis.
"Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for Deep Candidiasis," V. Kan, Veterans Administration Medical
Center, Washington, D.C.; John Bennett, M.D., NIAID, Bethesda, Md.
1:30 P.M. P.T. (4:30 P.M. E.T.)
Laboratory Test Detects Hidden Pneumonia Bacteria #1632 Poster
The laboratory test, polymerase chain reaction- enzyme immunosorbent assay (PCR-EIA revealed
infections with the bacteria Chlamydia pneumoniae in 9.8 percent of 132 samples from patients with
compromised immune systems for which other tests, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(ELISA), had failed to show infection. The PCR-EIA test could be an important tool in identifying
this difficult to isolate bacterium, which is an important cause of pneumonia, bronchitis, sore throats
and asthma, as well as acute chest syndrome in patients with sickle-cell anemia.
"Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae by PCR-EIA in an Immunocompromised Population," C.A.
Gaydos, J.J. Eiden and Thomas C. Quinn, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.;
C.L. Fowler and V.J. Gill, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, Md. Dr. Quinn also has an appointment at
NIAID, Bethesda, Md.

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