Detection of Aspergillus fumigatus hyphae by solid phase cytometry.
A rapid method based on solid phase cytometry (SPC) for the detection of Aspergillus fumigatus hyphae is described. With an enzymatic "viability" staining procedure, fungal hyphae can be detected non-specifically within the hour. By combining this procedure with an immunofluorescence labelling, a distinction between Aspergillus spp. and other clinically important fungi is possible, except for Penicillium spp. due to cross-reactivity. To differentiate both genera, microcolonies are generated by incubation at 45 degrees C prior to viability staining. The latter approach in conjunction with immunofluorescence labelling allows a quasi-specific detection of A. fumigatus hyphae and has shown its applicability to samples of bronchoalveolar lavage liquid (BAL).
De Vos
Muriel M
MM
Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University of Ghent, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Nelis
Hans J
HJ
D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D025301:Hyphae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019044:Image Cytometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000382:microbiology*
D015342:DNA Probes; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes