Howitt SH, et al. - In patients undergoing lung resection, the rates of preoperative lower respiratory tract colonization identified by traditional culture and novel 16S polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were compared and the links between test results and suspected postoperative respiratory tract infection and hospital length of stay (LOS) were determined. Similar rates of colonization were identified by culture and 16S PCR analyses of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples. Positive 16S PCR results were shown to be related to longer hospital length of stay (LOS) and increased risk of suspected postoperative respiratory tract infection. Overall, possible utility of 16S PCR was suggested in the stratification of the risk of postoperative respiratory complications.