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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · J Lab Physicians 2012; 4(01): 001-004
DOI: 10.4103/0974-2727.98661
Original Article

Molecular Species Identification of Candida from Blood Samples of Intensive Care Unit Patients by Polymerase Chain Reaction – Restricted Fragment Length Polymorphism

Ramraj Vijayakumar
Department of Microbiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, India
,
Sidhartha Giri
Department of Microbiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, India
,
Anupma Jyoti Kindo
Department of Microbiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, India
› Author Affiliations Source of Support: Nil
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ABSTRACT

Introduction: Candida spp is an emerging cause of blood stream infections worldwide. Delay in speciation of Candida isolates by conventional methods and resistance to antifungal drugs (especially fluconazole, amphotericin B, etc.) in various Candida species are some of the factors responsible for the increase in morbidity and mortality due to candidemia. So, the rapid detection and identification of Candida isolates from blood is very important for the proper management of patients having candidemia.

Materials and Methods: In this study, we have used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) as a method for the speciation of Candida isolates from blood samples of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. PCR was used to amplify the ITS-1 and ITS-2 regions of Candida spp using universal primers ITS-1 and ITS-4. The amplified product was digested using Msp I restriction enzyme by RFLP.

Results and Discussion: The method PCR-RFLP helped in identifying five medically important Candida spp (C. tropicalis, C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei and C. glabrata) from blood. This method is rapid, reliable, easy and cost-effective and can be used in routine laboratory diagnostics for the rapid identification of Candida isolates from blood.

Conclusion: PCR-RFLP is an easy, rapid and highly valuable tool which can be used in routine diagnostic laboratories to speciate Candida isolates obtained from blood. This rapid method of speciation will help clinicians to decide on empirical therapy in candidemia cases before antifungal susceptibility results are available.

Keywords

Candidemia - Msp I - polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism


Publication History

Article published online:
09 May 2020

© 2012.

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