Identification of Bacteria in the Sputum of a Cystic Fibrosis patient; A Comparison of Phenotypic and Molecular Methods

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF), caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator gene, is a common autosomal recessive disease. Accurate isolation and identification of the bacteria underlying these infections are is critical to the therapeutic management of CF. OBJECTIVE: To compare phenotypic bacterial identification with a molecular method in a CF patient sputum. METHODS: Bacterial identification done by standard microbiological method from a CF patient. Same sample underwent a molecular method involving 16S rDNA amplification, cloning, and sequencing. RESULTS: All isolated bacteria from culture were also found after cloning PCR Product. Conversely, 9 pathogenic bacterial species were only detected after PCR and cloning. CONCLUSION: This study supports prior suggestions that a sequence-based molecular approach to clinical microbiology can significantly enhance the standard clinical culture-based view.