PCR based identification and discrimination of agents of mucormycosis and aspergillosis in paraffin wax embedded tissue.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Invasive fungal infections are often diagnosed by histopathology without identification of the causative fungi, which show significantly different antifungal susceptibilities.

Aims

To establish and evaluate a system of two seminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to identify and discriminate between agents of aspergillosis and mucormycosis in paraffin wax embedded tissue samples.

Methods

DNA of 52 blinded samples from five different centres was extracted and used as a template in two PCR assays targeting the mitochondrial aspergillosis DNA and the 18S ribosomal DNA of zygomycetes.

Results

Specific fungal DNA was identified in 27 of 44 samples in accordance with a histopathological diagnosis of zygomycosis or aspergillosis, respectively. Aspe

SUBMITTER: Bialek R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1770765 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature