Multilocus Sequence Typing Directly on DNA from Clinical Samples and a Cultured Isolate To Investigate Linked Fatal Pneumococcal Disease in Residents of a Shelter for Homeless Men

Abstract

Two apparently linked fatal cases of pneumococcal meningitis were investigated. Pneumolysin PCR performed on blood and cerebrospinal fluid was positive in a culture-negative case. A second case yielded Streptococcus pneumoniae from blood culture. Multilocus sequence typing performed on DNA extracted from case 1 (specimens) and case 2 (isolate) revealed identical sequence types (ST53) substantiating the link between them.