Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
This article describes a previously unreported mutation at position 210 (C210T) of the mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA (mtLSUrRNA) gene of Pneumocystis jirovecii, which led to a false-negative result of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Since the aforementioned real-time PCR assay is widely used in France, a French multicenter study was conducted to estimate the mutation frequency and its potential impact on the routine diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). Through analysis of data obtained from eight centers, the mutation frequency was estimated at 0.28%. This low frequency should not call into question the routine use of this PCR assay. Nonetheless, the occurrence of the false-negative PCR result provides arguments for maintaining microscopic techniques combined to PCR assays to achieve PCP diagnosis.
Medical Mycology

hal-01477200
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01477200
DOI : 10.1093/mmy/myw051
PUBMED : 27489302

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Society for Microbiology
Résumé : International audience
Toxoplasmosis is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised patients (ICPs). The definite diagnosis relies on parasite DNA detection, but the incidence and burden of disease are ill-known in HIV-negative patients. A three-year retrospective study was conducted in 15 reference laboratories from the network of the French National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis, to record the frequency of Toxoplasma DNA detection in ICPs, to review the molecular methods used for diagnosis and the prevention measures implemented in transplant patients. During the study period, out of 31,640 PCR performed in ICPs, 610 were positive (323 patients). Blood (n=337), cerebrospinal fluid (n=101) and aqueous humor (n=100) samples were more frequently positive. Chemoprophylaxis schemes in transplant patients differed between centers. PCR follow-up of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (allo-HSCT) patients was implemented in 8/15 centers. Data from 180 patients (13 centers) were further analyzed regarding clinical setting and outcome. Only 68/180 (38%) patients were HIV+; the remaining 62% consisted in 72 HSCT, 14 solid-organ transplants, and 26 miscellaneous immunodeficiencies. Cerebral toxoplasmosis and disseminated toxoplasmosis were most frequently observed in HIV and transplant patients, respectively. Of 72 allo-HSCT patients with a positive PCR, 23 were asymptomatic; all were diagnosed in centers performing systematic blood PCR follow-up, and received specific treatment. Overall survival of allo-HSCT patients at two months was better in centers with PCR follow-up than in other centers (p<0.01). This study provides updated data on the frequency of toxoplasmosis in HIV-negative ICPs and suggests that regular PCR follow-up of allo-HSCT patients could guide pre-emptive treatment and improve outcome.
ISSN: 0095-1137

hal-01134189
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01134189
DOI : 10.1128/JCM.03282-14
PUBMED : 25762774