DEVELOPMENT OF A NESTED PCR FOR DETECTION OF CRYPTOCOCCUS-NEOFORMANS IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID

We report the development of a nested-PCR-based assay for the detectio n of Cryptococcus neoformans in cerebrospinal fluid. The specificity a nd sensitivity of the test were assessed. The technique was then appli ed to 40 cerebrospinal fluid samples. We obtained positive reactions f or all 21 clinical samples from patients who had been previously diagn osed as having cryptococcal meningitis by conventional techniques and negative reactions for all 19 negative controls. Nested PCR is here co mpared with other diagnostic methods currently used in patients' follo w up exams during anticryptococcal therapy.