DIAGNOSIS OF YERSINIA-PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS INFECTION BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

Background. The diagnosis of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection is usually based on serologic and/or bacteriologic tests. However, succes sfully culturing Y. pseudotuberculosis is difficult, and serologic tes ts in many cases require at least two serial sera obtained during 1-we ek intervals to confirm rising agglutination antibody titers. Methods. We applied a nested polymerase chain reaction method for rapid diagno sis of Y. pseudotuberculosis infection. The DNAs extracted from the pe ripheral blood and urine of patients and from mountain water, a suspec ted source of infection, were used as templates for the polymerase cha in reaction with consequent amplification of a fragment of the inv gen e in the chromosomal DNA of Y. pseudotuberculosis. Results. The overal l rate of diagnosis with the polymerase chain reaction, which was base d on a positive result with a single blood sample or one or more posit ive results with serial samples, was 93.3%. The polymerase chain react ion was also positive in two mountain water samples that were thought to be a source of infection. Conclusion. Based on our results the nest ed polymerase chain reaction method can be used clinically for rapid a nd precise diagnosis of Y. pseudotuberculosis infection.