Evaluation of a PCR-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry platform for detection and identification of fungal pathogens directly from prospectively collected bronchoalveolar lavage specimens. | LitMetric
Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Microbiology Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA. Electronic address:
Published: May 2020
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Article Abstract
The incidence of invasive fungal infections is on the rise worldwide due to the growth of the immunocompromised population. We report here the use of a diagnostic assay that utilizes a universal extraction method, broad spectrum PCR amplification and analysis via electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) to detect and identify more than 200 pathogenic fungi directly from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens in less than 8 hours. In this study, we describe both analytical and clinical performance of the assay, when run with prospectively collected clinical BAL specimens. In 146 patients with probable and possible fungal infections defined by EORTC/MSG (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group) criteria, the PCR/ESI-MS assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 90.9% (95% CI: 76.4-96.9%) and a specificity of 82.3% (95% CI: 74.2-88.2%). This data demonstrates the utility of a non-culture based broad fungal targets molecular diagnostic tool for rapid and accurate diagnosis of invasive fungal infections in patients at risk of developing fungal diseases.
Introduction: Leaf spot disease caused by the fungal pathogen is one of the most common diseases found in oil palm () nurseries in South East Asia, and is most prevalent at the seedling stage. Severe infections result in localized necrotic regions of leaves that rapidly spread within nurseries leading to poor quality seedlings and high economic losses.
Methods: To understand the molecular mechanisms of this plant-pathogen interaction, RNA-Seq was used to elucidate the transcriptomes of three oil palm genotypes with contrasting pathogen responses (G10 and G12, resistant and G14, susceptible) following infection with spores.
Among the diverse fungal opportunistic pathogens, garners significant attention due to its wide range of infections and high frequency of occurrence. The emergence of resistance and the limited number of antifungals drives the need to develop novel antifungal drugs. Although the natural product baicalin has been shown to trigger apoptosis in in previous experiments, its influence on cell wall (CW) structure along with immune recognition remains elusive.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred method for treating acute cholecystitis. Although the incidence of postoperative infections in laparoscopic cholecystectomy is low, serious postoperative surgical site infections are still reported. Hepatic abscesses, particularly fungal, can occur post-cholecystectomy leading to significant mortality and morbidity.
Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People's Republic of China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:
Since Candida albicans, a type of fungus, causes severe infections that pose a significant threat to human health, its rapid detection is critical in clinical antifungal therapy. Traditional fungal diagnostic approaches are largely based on the culture method. This method is time-consuming and laborious, taking about 48-72 h, and cannot identify emerging species, making it unsuitable for critically ill patients with bloodstream infections, sepsis, and so on.
Background: Although cutaneous mycoses are a global public health problem, very few data are available in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Objectives: This study aimed to describe the retrospective clinical epidemiology of dermatomycosis and their associated risk factors in dermatological consultations in Kinshasa, DRC.
Methods: A retrospective study based on the medical records of patients seen in the departments of dermatology of 2 major hospitals in Kinshasa from March 2000 to August 2023 was carried out.
