Detection and differentiation of causative fungi of onychomycosis using PCR amplification and restriction enzyme analysis.
BACKGROUND
Onychomycosis, a fungal nail infection, has become one of the most important dermatophytoses. Unfortunately, a predictably successful diagnostic approach to onychomycosis does not yet exist.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to develop a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based diagnostic method to improve the sensitivity and specificity of the detection and differentiation of the pathogenic fungi of onychomycosis.


METHODS
We attempted to detect fungi in the nail using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer systems that were designed in conserved sequences of the small ribosomal subunit 18S-rRNA genes shared by most fungi, and differentiated between species by restriction enzyme analysis of the amplified product.


RESULTS
Fragments of the gene coding for 18S-rRNA were amplified successfully from medically important fungi species, but not from normal nails. Restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns using HaeIII endonuclease were sufficiently different to allow the recognition of individual species.


CONCLUSIONS
The PCR-restriction enzyme analysis method appears to be a more sensitive detection and identification technique for onychomycosis than conventional methods, and has considerable diagnostic value.
Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
S C
SC
Baek
H J
HJ
Chae
D
D
Houh
D G
DG
Byun
B K
BK
Cho
D003883:Arthrodermataceae / Q000235:genetics*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000235:genetics; D017931:DNA Primers; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific / Q000378:metabolism; D005784:Gene Amplification; D005800:Genes, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009262:Nails / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000235:genetics
D017931:DNA Primers; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; C024403:GGCC-specific type II deoxyribonucleases