title: The diagnosis of hepatosplenic candidiasis by DNA analysis of tissue biopsy and serum.
abstract: Hepatosplenic candidiasis is traditionally diagnosed by blood culture, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and histological analysis. The limitations of these methods include: low sensitivity (blood culture) and failure to isolate the organism (MRI/histology). This report describes a case of hepatosplenic candidiasis diagnosed by simultaneous polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of liver biopsy and serum. PCR of biopsy and/or serum may offer a sensitive and specific diagnostic test for hepatosplenic candidiasis. Candida species can be identified, which helps guide antifungal chemotherapy, an important aspect in this difficult to treat infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Clinical Sciences Building, Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK. kirbyandrew@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burnie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal