Selva Jové, LauraBenmessaoud, RachidLanaspa, MiguelJroundi, ImaneMoraleda Redecilla, CintaAcácio, SozinhoIñigo, MelaniaBastiani, AlienMonsonís, ManuelPallarés Giner, RomanBassat Orellana, QuiqueMuñoz-Almagro, Carmen2016-02-102016-02-102013-10-081932-6203https://hdl.handle.net/2445/69369Correction https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0147678Background: Dried blood spot (DBS) is a reliable blood collection method for storing samples at room temperature and easily transporting them. We have previously validated a Real-Time PCR for detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae in DBS. The objective of this study was to apply this methodology for the diagnosis of S. pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib) in DBS samples of children with pneumonia admitted to two hospitals in Mozambique and Morocco. Methods: Ply and wzg genes of S. pneumoniae and bexA gene of Hib, were used as targets of Real-Time PCR. 329 DBS samples of children hospitalized with clinical diagnosis of pneumonia were tested. Results: Real-Time PCR in DBS allowed for a significant increase in microbiological diagnosis of S. pneumoniae and Hib. When performing blood bacterial culture, only ten isolates of S. pneumoniae and none of Hib were detected (3·0% positivity rate, IC95% 1·4-5·5%). Real-Time PCR from DBS samples increased the detection yield by 4x fold, as 30 S. pneumoniae and 11 Hib cases were detected (12·4% positivity rate, IC95% 9·0-16·5%; P<0·001). Conclusion: Real-Time PCR applied in DBS may be a valuable tool for improving diagnosis and surveillance of pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae or Hib in developing countries.6 p.application/pdfengcc-by (c) Selva Jové, Laura et al., 2013http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/esBacteris patògensReacció en cadena de la polimerasaPneumòniaInfantsPneumococsPathogenic bacteriaPolymerase chain reactionPneumoniaChildrenStreptococcus pneumoniainfo:eu-repo/semantics/article6409992016-02-10info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess24116190