title: Resolution of discrepant results for Candida species identification by using DNA probes.
abstract: Candida species bloodstream isolates were collected from institutions participating in an active, population-based surveillance for candidemia. Species identifications were performed locally and then confirmed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by phenotype-based methods. Discrepancies in species identification between the referring institution and the CDC were noted for 43 of 935 isolates (4.6%). A DNA probe-based species identification system (PCR-enzyme immunoassay [EIA]) was then used to resolve these discrepancies. The PCR-EIA result was identical to the CDC phenotypic identification method for 98% of the isolates tested. The most frequently misidentified species was Candida glabrata (37% of all discrepant identifications). Such misidentifications could lead to the administration of inappropriate therapy given the propensity of C. glabrata to develop resistance to azole antifungal drugs.
authors.affiliation: Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Coignard
authors.forename: Steven F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Hurst
authors.forename: Lynette E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Benjamin
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Warnock
authors.forename: Christine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Morrison
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D015342:DNA Probes; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004271:DNA, Fungal