The use of nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nested PCR) for the early diagnosis of Histoplasma capsulatum infection in serum and whole blood of HIV-positive patients*

Uso da Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase aninhada (PCR aninhada) para o diagnóstico precoce da infecção pelo Histoplasma capsulatum no soro e no sangue total de pacientes HIV positivos

The aim of the study was to detect the rDNA sequences and their regions in Histoplasma capsulatum, which could be considered species-specific and used as a molecular method for this diagnosis by the technique of nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR), employing specific sequences (primers) for H. capsulatum: 18S rDNA region (HC18), 100 kDa (HC100) and the sequence 5.8 S-ITS rDNA (HC5.8). The PCR sequences HC18, HC100 and HC5.8 resulted in a specificity of 100%. The molecular assays may increase the specificity, sensitivity and speed in the diagnosis of Histoplasmosis.

AIDS-related opportunistic infections; Histoplasma; HIV seropositivity; Molecular diagnostic techniques; Polymerase chain reaction