Detection of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis DNA by polymerase chain reaction in serum samples of paracoccidioidomycosis

SUMMARY OF THESIS^*

CHARBEL, Cecília Eugênia - Detecção do DNA de Paracoccidioides brasiliensis pela reação da polimerase em cadeia, em amostras de soro com paracoccidioidomicose. São Paulo, 2003. (Dissertação de Mestrado - Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo).

Detection of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis DNA by polymerase chain reaction in serum samples of paracoccidioidomycosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a faster and more specific alternative for the laboratorial diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis on human serum samples.

This evaluation was made by comparing PCR results with those obtained on 33 samples presenting positivity with serological methods considered to be the "gold-standard", while specificity was assessed by employing 10 serum samples from patients with unrelated deep mycosis.

DNA was extracted from serum and submitted to nested-PCR by using primers derived from the gp43 gene of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Only one sample was positive on nested-PCR. In conclusion, nested-PCR was shown to be highly specific but of low sensitivity. It's use as a routine research and diagnostic tool is limited, when employing serum as the biological material.

Cecília Eugênia Charbel

Laboratório de Micologia - LIM-53

Instituto de Medicina Tropical de S. Paulo

e-mail: [e-mail]

*

This thesis is available at the Library of the Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  11 Nov 2003
• Date of issue
  Oct 2003