Comparison of the FXG™: RESP (Asp+) real-time PCR assay with direct immunofluorescence and calcofluor white staining for the detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii in respiratory specimens.

We compared the FXG™: RESP (Asp +) real-time PCR assay (Myconostica Ltd) with two microscopic staining methods (direct immunofluorescence [IFA] and calcofluor white) for the detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii in 411 respiratory specimens submitted for P. jirovecii examination. We considered the specimen to be microscopically positive if the organism could be visualized through the use of either IFA or calcofluor white.

Laboratory diagnosis of amoebic keratitis: comparison of four diagnostic methods for different types of clinical specimens.

Amoebic keratitis causes significant ocular morbidity in contact lens wearers. Current diagnostic methods for amoebic keratitis are insensitive and labor-intensive and have poor turnaround time. We evaluated four laboratory methods for detection of acanthamoebae in clinical specimens.