Athlete's Foot Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Athlete's Foot, including details on tinea, causes, treatment, prevention.

Fast and reliable PCR/sequencing/RFLP assay for identification of fungi in onychomycoses.

Monod M, Bontems O, Zaugg C, Léchenne B, Fratti M, Panizzon R

Department of Dermatology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. Michel.Monod@chuv.ch

Fusarium spp. and other non-dermatophyte fungi are repeatedly isolated from abnormal nails. To investigate whether these fungi are the aetiological agents of infection or simply transient contaminants, a PCR/sequencing/RFLP assay was developed for direct and routine identification of the infecting fungi in onychomycosis. Fungal DNA was readily extracted using a commercial kit after dissolving nail fragments in a Na2S solution. Amplification of part of the 28S rDNA by PCR was performed with universal primers and the fungal species were identified by sequencing. The PCR/sequencing results were comparable with microbiological identification from the same nail sample. In addition to dermatophytes, Fusarium spp. and other less frequently isolated non-dermatophyte fungi were identified as single fungal agents in onychomycosis. Moreover, mixed infections were clearly demonstrated in 10% of cases by RFLP analysis of PCR products. Identification of infectious agents could be obtained in 2 days, whilst results from fungal cultures take 1-3 weeks. Rapid and reliable molecular identification of the infectious fungus expedites the choice of appropriate antifungal therapy, thereby improving the cure rate of onychomycosis.

Published 17 August 2006 in J Med Microbiol, 55: 1211-6.
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