Detection of invasive infection caused by Fusarium solani and non-Fusarium solani species using a duplex quantitative PCR-based assay in a murine model of fusariosis

Med Mycol. 2012 Apr;50(3):270-5. doi: 10.3109/13693786.2011.604047. Epub 2011 Sep 12.

Abstract

A duplex Real Time PCR (RT-PCR) assay for detecting DNA of members of the genus Fusarium has been developed and validated by using two mouse models of invasive infection. The duplex RT-PCR technique employed two specific molecular beacon probes targeting a highly conserved region of the fungal rDNA gene. This technique showed a detection limit of 10 fg DNA per μl of sample and a specificity of 100%. The sensitivity in a total of 48 samples from a murine model of Fusarium solani infection was 93.9% for lung tissues and 86.7% for serum samples. In comparison, the sensitivity in a total of 45 samples of a F. oxysporum murine model infection was 87% for lung tissues and 42.8% for serum samples. This molecular technique could be a reliable method for the quantification and the evaluation of the disease in animal models and for the clinical diagnosis of fusariosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fusariosis / diagnosis*
  • Fusarium / genetics
  • Fusarium / isolation & purification*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Mycology / methods*
  • Oligonucleotide Probes / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Serum / microbiology

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • Oligonucleotide Probes