Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as a rapid diagnostic test for the identification of microorganisms causing serious ocular infections

摘要

In severe eye infections such as infective endophthalmitis and keratitis (infective corneal ulcers), the conventional techniques used for the identification of pathogenic microorganisms are based on the culture of the causative agents on selective agar media, followed by biochemical analyses using characteristics pertinent to the microorganisms involved. These methods are able to provide the identity of the pathogens up to the species level. However, it is often necessary to take at least one day (for bacteria) or longer (for fungi and some fastidious bacteria) to obtain the results, even by using available commercial identification kits. As the identity of the pathogen is crucial in planning definitive treatment for the patient, a rapid method toidentify the causative organism is desired. The molecular technique PCR has been evaluated in the diagnosis of several infectious diseases in recent years.