Molecular and morphological identification of Colletotrichum species of clinical interest.
Colletotrichum species have caused human infections in recent years. Because of the difficulties in recognizing them in vitro, we have designed a quick and unambiguous molecular test, based on the amplification of a specific fragment of the internal transcribed spacer 1 region, to distinguish any Colletotrichum isolate from other fungi, including the common pathogenic species. Analysis of the sequences of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) fragment showed sufficient variability to clearly separate the five species of Colletotrichum that are of clinical interest, i.e., Colletotrichum coccodes, C. crassipes, C. dematium, C. gloeosporioides, and C. graminicola. Sequencing of the D1-D2 region of the large-subunit rDNA gene also supported these results. Additionally, we reviewed the most suitable morphological characteristics for the in vitro identification of these increasingly important opportunistic fungi.
Cano
Josep
J
Unitat de Microbiologia, Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carrer Sant Llorenç 21, 43201-Reus, Tarragona, Spain. jfcl@astor.urv.es
Guarro
Josep
J
Gené
Josepa
J
D020231:Colletotrichum / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans
D004275:DNA, Ribosomal