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Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Multi-locus Variable-number Tandem-repeat Analysis of the Fish-pathogenic Bacterium Yersinia ruckeri by Multiplex PCR and Capillary Electrophoresis
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Typing of Pneumocystis jirovecii by multilocus sequencing: evidence of outbreak?

M Depypere1, V Saegeman2, K Lagrou2,3

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium. Melissa.depypere@gmail.com.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
|April 3, 2016
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated potential Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) outbreaks in a hospital, finding no evidence of transmission. Current infection control measures for PcP are deemed appropriate, but a need for a global Pneumocystis database exists.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Reports suggest person-to-person transmission of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PcP).
  • Oncology and transplant units are particularly susceptible to PcP outbreaks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To retrospectively investigate possible PcP clusters at UZ Leuven in 2013.
  • To assess the effectiveness of current infection control precautions for PcP.

Main Methods:

  • Established a movement and transmission map for 21 patients with positive PcP PCR on BAL fluid.
  • Utilized multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to genotype P. jirovecii from BAL fluid samples.
  • Included ten patients with positive or weakly positive PcP PCR and potential cross-exposure.

Main Results:

  • No evidence of a PcP outbreak was found in UZ Leuven in 2013 based on MLST typing.
  • MLST proved effective for PcP genotyping and outbreak detection.
  • Current infection control precautions for P. jirovecii at UZ Leuven appear adequate.

Conclusions:

  • The study did not identify a PcP outbreak, suggesting existing infection control measures are sufficient.
  • There is a need for an international Pneumocystis database.
  • Further clarity on the geographic distribution of P. jirovecii genotypes is required.

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