DETECTION OF CANDIDA-ALBICANS DNA IN SERUM BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied in order to improve the di agnosis of disseminated candidosis. A nested PCR technique with 2 prim er pairs was used to increase the sensitivity. We were able to detect Candida DNA in serum and tissue samples from experimentally infected m ice as well as in serum samples from candidemia patients and patients with deep-seated Candida infection. Our PCR could detect as little as 1 pg Candida albicans DNA. The PCR method was more sensitive than cult ure in both the mouse experiments and the patients with deep candidosi s (5/7 were PCR positive and 0/7 blood culture positive), and of simil ar sensitivity in candidemia patients (11/17 were PCR positive and 15/ 17 blood culture positive). The relatively short processing time of PC R, when compared with culturing, its sensitivity, as web as the possib ility of using serum samples for analysis, all helped improve the diag nostics in deep-seated candidosis and candidemia.