title: Neurocryptococcosis: diagnosis by PCR method.
abstract: Cryptococcus neoformans detection was optimized using PCR technique with the objective of application in the clinical laboratory diagnosis. The amplification area was ITS and 5,6S which encodes the ribosomal RNA (rRNA). A total of 72 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were used, obtained from cases with and without AIDS. The patients had cryptococcal meningitis (n = 56) and meningitis caused by other agents (n = 16). The results demonstrated that PCR test had the highest sensitivity rates, superior to culture (85.7%) and to India ink test (76.8%). PCR was found to be sensitive in detecting 1 cell/mL and highly specific since it did not amplify other fungal DNA. The comparative analysis of the methods showed that PCR is more sensitive and specific and is applicable as an important laboratorial resource for neurocryptococcosis diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analyses and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Regina Célia
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Paschoal
authors.forename: Mário Hiroyuki
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: Rosário Crespo
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: Márcia de Souza Carvalho
authors.initials: Mde S
authors.lastname: Melhem
authors.forename: Amanda Latercia Tranches
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Claudete Rodrigues
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Paula
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S