Real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae from pleural fluid and tissue

A diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia and empyema was established by real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed in pleural fluid and tissue samples from a child in whom cultures were negative. This case demonstrates that the use of solid-phase nucleic acid purification technology and real-time fluorescence PCR have an application in the rapid diagnosis of S. pneumoniae pneumonia.