In:
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, American Society for Microbiology, Vol. 39, No. 10 ( 2001-10), p. 3505-3511
Abstract:
Specific oligonucleotide probes were developed to identify medically important fungi that display yeast-like morphology in vivo. Universal fungal primers ITS1 and ITS4, directed to the conserved regions of ribosomal DNA, were used to amplify DNA from Histoplasma capsulatum , Blastomyces dermatitidis , Coccidioides immitis , Paracoccidioides brasiliensis , Penicillium marneffei , Sporothrix schenckii , Cryptococcus neoformans , five Candida species, and Pneumocystis carinii . Specific oligonucleotide probes to identify these fungi, as well as a probe to detect all dimorphic, systemic pathogens, were developed. PCR amplicons were detected colorimetrically in an enzyme immunoassay format. The dimorphic probe hybridized with DNA from H . capsulatum , B . dermatitidis , C . immitis , P . brasiliensis , and P . marneffei but not with DNA from nondimorphic fungi. Specific probes for H . capsulatum , B . dermatitidis , C . immitis , P . brasiliensis , P . marneffei , S . schenckii , C . neoformans , and P . carinii hybridized with homologous but not heterologous DNA. Minor cross-reactivity was observed for the B . dermititidis probe used against C . immitis DNA and for the H . capsulatum probe used against Candida albicans DNA. However, the C . immitis probe did not cross-react with B . dermititidis DNA, nor did the dimorphic probe hybridize with C . albicans DNA. Therefore, these fungi could be differentiated by a process of elimination. In conclusion, probes developed to yeast-like pathogens were found to be highly specific and should prove to be useful in differentiating these organisms in the clinical setting.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0095-1137
,
1098-660X
DOI:
10.1128/JCM.39.10.3505-3511.2001
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Society for Microbiology
Publication Date:
2001
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1498353-9
SSG:
12
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