title: Respiratory fungal infections: molecular diagnostic tests.
abstract: Fungal infection of the respiratory tract can take several forms, the most common of which is pneumonia. Fungal infection can occur in the immunocompetent typically as a result of inhalation of a large inoculum of fungal elements. However, the number of etiologic agents attacking immunocompetent individuals and causing significant infection is limited. Molecular assays are a potential additional and sensitive weapon that can be added to the diagnostic arsenal used by physicians to determine whether a fungus is definitively, probably, or possibly causing infection in a patient.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Duke University Health System, 2902 DUMC, 116 CARL Building, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Electronic address: kevin.hazen@duke.edu.
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Hazen
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D058889:Molecular Typing; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
keywords: Assay; Fungal infection; PCR; Species