A specific PCR assay for the dermatophyte fungus Microsporum canis

A DNA fragment of approximately 1.2 kb, generated from the common dermatoph yte Microsporum canis by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using random primer OPU131 was cloned and sequenced, Based on the resultin g sequencing data, a forward primer (MC1F) and a reverse primer (MC1R) have been designed and assessed by PCR for their usefulness in the improved ide ntification of M. canis, The results obtained suggest that these primers ar e specific for M, canis. as a band of 900 bp was amplified in PCR with geno mic DNA from M. canis only, and not from any of the other dermatophyte spec ies or varieties, other fungi or common bacteria examined. Combining this P CR technique with a rapid mini-preparation method for fungal DNA. a definit ive diagnosis of M. canis can be achieved within a day from the primary cul tures, Future refinement of a DNA purification protocol from clinical speci mens would further enhance the potential of the PCR based test for improved detection and identification of M, canis.