Species-specific PCR primers in the rDNA-ITS region as a diagnostic tool for Serpula lacrymans

The ITS of the nuclear ribosomal DNA of Serpula lacrymans and S. himantioid es was amplified by PCR to evaluate this DNA region as a diagnostic tool. S equencing of the amplified ITS region revealed a size of the complete ITS o f 654 bp for S. lacrymans and 650 bp for S. himantioides. The base sequence difference between the two fungi was used to design species-specific oligo nucleotide PCR primers for both species. With laboratory and held samples, each primer selectively detected its target organism. No cross reaction occ urred with other fungi causing rot of indoor wood.