title: Genus- and Species-Specific PCR Detection Methods.
abstract: PCR-based detection of fungal pathogens offers a sensitive and specific tool for the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections. A large variety of different clinical specimen types can be used as original material. However, certain precautions, in addition to the published MIQE guidelines [1], need to be taken to prevent contaminations from airborne fungal spores and PCR reagents. In addition, the European Aspergillus PCR Initiative (EAPCRI) recently defined standards for Aspergillus PCR [2, 3], following these recommendations leads to superior sensitivity. The combination of fungal PCR with the galactomannan ELISA assay increases the sensitivity for the detection of Aspergillus DNA from blood, compared to a single assay only [4, 5].
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik II, Universitätklinikum Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Würzburg, 97080, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Springer
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik II, Universitätklinikum Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Würzburg, 97080, Germany. loeffler_j@ukw.de.
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Löffler
mesh_terms: D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal
keywords: Amplification; Broad-range PCR; DNA; Detection; Fungi; PCR; Species-specific method