PCR Assays for Identification of
            <i>Coccidioides posadasii</i>
            Based on the Nucleotide Sequence of the Antigen 2/Proline-Rich Antigen

Bialek, Ralf; Kern, Jan Marco; Herrmann, Tanja; Tijerina, Rolando; Ceceñas, Luis A.; Reischl, Udo; González, Gloria M.

doi:10.1128/jcm.42.2.778-783.2004

Cited by 99 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…A significant challenge for our laboratory, found when reviewing the available literature on Coccidioides PCR methods (6,9,14), was the personnel time required to perform the separate extraction step and how to fit this testing into our daily workflow. An additional issue was that the extraction and PCR testing from other researchers were performed on instruments not available in our laboratory.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Methods include traditional serology testing for immunodiffusion tube precipitin (TP) or complement fixation (CF) antibody, enzyme immunoassays, culture, and histopathology (6). Serology testing for Coccidioides is helpful but has limitations for diagnosing current, active infections, since antibodies may be slow to increase to detectable levels, especially in immunocompromised patients (7,8).…”

Section: Alley Fever Caused By the Dimorphic Fungi Coccidioides Immmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Development of a Real-Time PCR Assay for Identification of Coccidioides immitis by Use of the BD Max System

et al. 2015

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bRapid real-time PCR (RT-PCR) can be performed in a community hospital setting to identify Coccidioides species using the new Becton Dickinson molecular instrument BD Max. Following sample preparation, DNA extraction and PCR were performed on the BD Max using the BD Max extraction kit ExK-DNA-1 test strip and a master mix prepared by BioGX (Birmingham, AL). Sample preparation took 2 h, and testing on the BD Max took an additional 2 h. Method sensitivity and specificity were evaluated along with the limits of detection to confirm that this convenient method would provide medically useful information. Using serial dilutions, the lower limit of detection was determined to be 1 CFU/l. Testing with this method was validated using samples from various body sites, including bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid; sputum and lung tissue samples; and pleural and spinal fluids. Safety protocols were established, and specimen preparation processes were developed for the various types of specimens. The range for the cycle threshold (C T ) indicating adequate fluorescent signal to signify a positive result was established along with the acceptable range for the internal standard. Positive controls run with each batch were prepared by spiking a pooled BAL fluid specimen with a known dilution of Coccidioides immitis organism. Our experience with testing >330 patient samples shows that clinically relevant information can be available within 4 h using an RT-PCR method on the BD Max to identify Coccidioides spp., with sensitivity equivalent to culture. V alley fever caused by the dimorphic fungi Coccidioides immitis in the Central Valley of California and Coccidioides posadasiiin other arid areas of the southwestern United States continues to be an important illness in those areas (1-3). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4,431 cases of Valley fever were reported in California in 2012 (4). For most healthy residents of the Central Valley who contract this infection, Valley fever causes a rather mild influenza-like illness. However, the illness can be severe in some individuals, especially those with a compromised immune system. Without sensitive testing methods, it is usually not possible to distinguish the early symptoms of coccidioidomycosis from other causes of community-acquired pneumonia, which may lead to delayed or improper treatment (5).Current laboratory testing methods rely on lengthy, labor-intensive protocols using experienced and highly skilled laboratory personnel. Methods include traditional serology testing for immunodiffusion tube precipitin (TP) or complement fixation (CF) antibody, enzyme immunoassays, culture, and histopathology (6). Serology testing for Coccidioides is helpful but has limitations for diagnosing current, active infections, since antibodies may be slow to increase to detectable levels, especially in immunocompromised patients (7, 8). Culture-based methods require several days or weeks to grow sufficient fungi for identification by molecular methods, posing additional sa...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Alley Fever Caused By the Dimorphic Fungi Coccidioides Immmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of a Real-Time PCR Assay for Identification of Coccidioides immitis by Use of the BD Max System

et al. 2015

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“…; thus, analysis of other regions should be considered (37,84). In addition, false-positive results with specific H. capsulatum primers and difficulties in identifying Coccidioides in formalin-fixed tissues have been reported (15,17). A Mayo Clinic study of 147 FFPE samples showed that histology found more coccidioidomycosis cases than PCR (19).…”

Section: Pcr-based Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Histopathologic Diagnosis of Fungal Infections in the 21st Century

2011

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SUMMARY Fungal infections are becoming more frequent because of expansion of at-risk populations and the use of treatment modalities that permit longer survival of these patients. Because histopathologic examination of tissues detects fungal invasion of tissues and vessels as well as the host reaction to the fungus, it is and will remain an important tool to define the diagnostic significance of positive culture isolates or results from PCR testing. However, there are very few instances where the morphological characteristics of fungi are specific. Therefore, histopathologic diagnosis should be primarily descriptive of the fungus and should include the presence or absence of tissue invasion and the host reaction to the infection. The pathology report should also include a comment stating the most frequent fungi associated with that morphology as well as other possible fungi and parasites that should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Alternate techniques have been used to determine the specific agent present in the histopathologic specimen, including immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and PCR. In addition, techniques such as laser microdissection will be useful to detect the now more frequently recognized dual fungal infections and the local environment in which this phenomenon occurs.

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“…In addition to Coccidioides immitis, Coccidioides posadasii has been described recently as the likely etiologic agent of coccidioidomycosis originating outside California (30).…”

Section: Fungal Infections Infections Caused By Coccidioides Immitismentioning

confidence: 99%

Transmission of Tropical and Geographically Restricted Infections during Solid-Organ Transplantation

et al. 2008

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SUMMARY In recent years, the increasing number of donors from different regions of the world is providing a new challenge for the management and selection of suitable donors. This is a worldwide problem in most countries with transplantation programs, especially due to the increase in immigration and international travel. This paper elaborates recommendations regarding the selection criteria for donors from foreign countries who could potentially transmit tropical or geographically restricted infections to solid-organ transplant recipients. For this purpose, an extensive review of the medical literature focusing on viral, fungal, and parasitic infections that could be transmitted during transplantation from donors who have lived or traveled in countries where these infections are endemic has been performed, with special emphasis on tropical and imported infections. The review also includes cases described in the literature as well as risks of transmission during transplantation, microbiological tests available, and recommendations for each infection. A table listing different infectious agents with their geographic distributions and specific recommendations is included.

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PCR Assays for Identification of Coccidioides posadasii Based on the Nucleotide Sequence of the Antigen 2/Proline-Rich Antigen

Cited by 99 publications

References 23 publications

Development of a Real-Time PCR Assay for Identification of Coccidioides immitis by Use of the BD Max System

Development of a Real-Time PCR Assay for Identification of Coccidioides immitis by Use of the BD Max System

Histopathologic Diagnosis of Fungal Infections in the 21st Century

Transmission of Tropical and Geographically Restricted Infections during Solid-Organ Transplantation

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