Epidemiological study of Candida species in cutaneous candidiasis based on PCR using a primer mix specific for the DNA topoisomerase II gene.
BACKGROUND
We have previously reported a PCR-based identification system for pathogenic fungi by targeting the DNA topoisomerase II gene, in which primer mixes specific for this gene were used for the PCR amplifications.


OBJECTIVE
To test the potential of the PCR using primer mix that is specific for the DNA topoisomerase II gene and are designated as PsVIc, for rapid identification of Candida species involved in cutaneous candidiasis, and to define the relation between Candida species and the infection lesion.


METHODS
Scales from 48 patients with cutaneous candidiasis were cultured on GYEP agar plates, and the genomic DNAs were purified from the colonies and used as DNA templates for PCR amplifications. Candida was identified as individual species based on the sizes of the PCR products generated in the PCR amplifications using PsVlc.


RESULTS
Four Candida species (five genotypes; Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis I, Candida parapsilosis II and Candida tropicalis II) were identified in the patients' scales. In 19 of the patients (39.6%), multiple PCR products (two or three bands) were amplified in a DNA sample, especially derived from scales at the groin of bed-ridden older patients using napkins.


CONCLUSIONS
The PCR-based identification using the primer mix was useful for an epidemiological study of Candida species in cutaneous candidiasis.
Kamiya
Atsushi
A
Department of Dermatology, Nagoya Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan.
Kikuchi
Akihiko
A
Tomita
Yasushi
Y
Kanbe
Toshio
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000235:genetics*; D041221:Candida glabrata / Q000235:genetics; D041022:Candida tropicalis / Q000235:genetics; D002179:Candidiasis, Cutaneous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D017931:DNA Primers; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / Q000235:genetics*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D013045:Species Specificity
D017931:DNA Primers; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II