Detection of Talaromyces marneffei from Fresh Tissue of an Inhalational Murine Pulmonary Model Using Nested PCR

PLoS One. 2016 Feb 17;11(2):e0149634. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149634. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Penicilliosis marneffei, often consecutive to the aspiration of Talaromyces marneffei (Penicillium marneffei), continues to be one of the significant causes of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients in endemic regions such as Southeast Asia. Improving the accuracy of diagnosing this disease would aid in reducing the mortality of associated infections. In this study, we developed a stable and reproducible murine pulmonary model that mimics human penicilliosis marneffei using a nebulizer to deliver Talaromyces marneffei (SUMS0152) conidia to the lungs of BALB/c nude mice housed in exposure chamber. Using this model, we further revealed that nested PCR was sensitive and specific for detecting Talaromyces marneffei in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and fresh tissues. This inhalation model may provide a more representative analysis tool for studying the development of penicilliosis marneffei, in addition to revealing that nested PCR has a predictive value in reflecting pulmonary infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Aerosols
  • Animals
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Lung / microbiology*
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Microbial Viability
  • Mycoses / microbiology
  • Mycoses / pathology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Talaromyces / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Aerosols

Grants and funding

The study was supported by the funding of the establishment of early diagnosis of modern technology platform of AIDS, tuberculosis and other chronic diseases with invasive fungal infections—the stablishment of early diagnosis of technology platform of Penicilliosis marneffei (sub-programed) (2013ZX10004612). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.