Kingella kingae, Molecular Detection, PCR, Blood

Use

Aiding in the diagnosis of Kingella kingae infection using whole blood specimens. Kingella kingae is a fastidious gram-negative bacillus that may colonize the oropharynx of young children and cause invasive disease via hematogenous dissemination, commonly resulting in osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in children aged 6 to 36 months; it may also cause endocarditis in patients of any age and is part of the HACEK group. PCR detection of Kingella kingae DNA in blood offers a useful diagnosis when culture may fail. A positive result indicates presence of K. kingae DNA; a negative result does not rule out infection because of PCR inhibition, sequence variability, or low DNA quantity. PCR may cross‑react with Kingella negevensis. Supportive data include validation in spiked blood samples with high sensitivity and specificity and a limit of detection of approximately 1.3 CFU/µL.