Multiplex RT-PCR provides improved diagnosis of skin and nail dermatophyte infections compared to microscopy and culture: a laboratory study and review of the literature.

Dermatophytes are the most common cause of superficial mycosis, estimated to affect 20% to 25% of the general population. We assessed the performance of a novel real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) multiplex assay for diagnosis of dermatophytosis. To evaluate sensitivity and specificity, 10 known bacteria and 10 known fungi commonly found on skin, as well as 105 samples with culture confirmed dermatophytosis were tested using Dermatophyte and Fungi assay (AusDiagnostics, Sydney, Australia), a novel multiplex assay for diagnosis of dermatophytosis in skin and nail.

Interferon-gamma response by peripheral blood mononuclear cells to hepatitis C virus core antigen is reduced in patients with liver fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis was correlated with immunological parameters. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with low fibrosis scores had more [corrected] interferon (IFN)-gamma-producing cells than did patients with higher fibrosis scores, when stimulated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen. Irrespective of liver fibrosis score, cells from all cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seropositive patients had similar IFN-gamma responses, when stimulated by CMV antigen, so patients with fibrosis did not have a broad-spectrum immunodeficiency.