[Detection of Aspergillus infection in blood of malignant hematopoietic tumor patients by two-step polymerase chain reaction].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the sensitivity and specificity of two-step PCR in detection of Aspergillus species in blood from malignant hematopoietic tumor patients.


METHODS
Forty-one blood samples from high-risk patients were detected with two-step PCR. The clinical applicability was assessed with analyzing computed tomography, Aspergillus culture, neutropenia and outcome after anti-fungal therapy.


RESULTS
Specific band of PCR was obtained from Aspergillus strains and products of PCR had a high homogeneous in sequence with Aspergillus species. Sixteen of 41 patients were PCR positive and controls were all PCR negative. Among PCR positive patients, 4 patients had positive cultures. The lowest WBC count was (0.30 +/- 0.14) x 10(9)/L and (0.50 +/- 0.26) x 10(9)/L respectively and duration with WBC count less than 1.0 x 10(9)/L was (19.00 +/- 8.31) days and (12.69 +/- 6.95) days respectively in the two groups. After antifungal therapy, one of the patients with PCR positive died of chemotherapy-related early death.


CONCLUSIONS
The two-step PCR assay allows for highly sensitive and specific detection of Aspergillus pathogens in vitro and in vivo. The detection with PCR has some value in the early diagnosis and helps us to make decision for antifungal therapy.
Liu
Jun-qing
JQ
Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Feng
Li-min
LM
Song
Hua
H
Meng
Hai-tao
HT
Jin
Jie
J
Qian
Wen-bin
WB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012331:RNA, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000097:blood; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D012331:RNA, Fungal; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S