SHORT REPORT

Detection of Simkania negevensis by culture, PCR, and serology in respiratory tract infection in Cornwall, UK

M G Friedman¹, S Kahane¹, B Dvoskin¹ and J W Hartley²

¹ Department of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
² Department of Clinical Microbiology, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro, Cornwall, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr M G Friedman
Department of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, PO Box 653, Beer Sheva, Israel 84105-IL; maureen{at}bgumail.bgu.ac.il

Respiratory tract infections are often treated empirically without investigation to detect the aetiological agent, which may be a virus or a bacterium, including atypical pathogens such as Chlamydophila pneumoniae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Recently, several types Chlamydia-like intracellular bacteria have been detected in environmental samples and clinical specimens. Little is known of their geographical distribution and potential pathogenicity. We describe the detection, by PCR and isolation in cell culture, of Simkania negevensis in nasopharyngeal aspirates of paediatric patients with bronchiolitis in Cornwall, UK. We also present serological evidence of exposure to the organism in 62% of adult patients and 46% of a sample of pregnant women. Empirical treatment of serious respiratory tract infection should consider the possible contribution of these organisms.

Abbreviations: NPA, nasopharyngeal aspirates

Keywords: Simkania negevensis; respiratory tract infections; atypical pathogens

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