Molecular Detection of Aspergillus: Application of a Real-Time PCR Multiplex Assay in Tissue Samples
Reference Unit for Parasitic and Fungal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
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J. Fungi 2020, 6(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof6010011
Received: 7 November 2019
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Revised: 23 December 2019
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Accepted: 7 January 2020
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Published: 10 January 2020
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Diagnostics of Fungal Infections)
Diagnosis of invasive fungal infections is complex, and the lack of standardization of molecular methods is still a challenge. Several methods are available for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis, but their effectiveness will depend on the studied population, the patients’ comorbidities, and the use of mold active prophylaxis, among others. The ability to determine the identity of the infecting Aspergillus species, and to detect mutations conferring specific resistance patterns directly from DNA extracted from the biological product, is an advantage of nucleic acid testing compared with antigen-based assays. In this study, we present laboratory cases where the diagnosis of aspergillosis was performed using a real-time multiplex PCR for the detection of Aspergillus DNA in tissue samples, showing its usefulness as one more tool in the diagnosis of aspergillosis in tissue samples. Aspergillus real-time multiplex PCR was also used to detect azole-resistance in some cases. In the majority of the PCR positive cases, cultures remained negative after 60 days. The PCR assay directed to Aspergillus gave positive signals for Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto. Results were confirmed by panfungal PCR, followed by sequencing, revealing 100% homology with Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto. Mutations conferring azole resistance were not detected.
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Keywords:
Aspergillus; invasive fungal infections; real-time PCR; molecular diagnosis; azole-resistance
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MDPI and ACS Style
Sabino, R.; Simões, H.; Veríssimo, C. Molecular Detection of Aspergillus: Application of a Real-Time PCR Multiplex Assay in Tissue Samples. J. Fungi 2020, 6, 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof6010011
AMA Style
Sabino R, Simões H, Veríssimo C. Molecular Detection of Aspergillus: Application of a Real-Time PCR Multiplex Assay in Tissue Samples. Journal of Fungi. 2020; 6(1):11. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof6010011
Chicago/Turabian StyleSabino, Raquel, Helena Simões, and Cristina Veríssimo. 2020. "Molecular Detection of Aspergillus: Application of a Real-Time PCR Multiplex Assay in Tissue Samples" Journal of Fungi 6, no. 1: 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof6010011
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