الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is representing an important cause of morbidity and mortality. High resolution melting polymerase chain reaction (HRM PCR) could identify fungal species through detecting Internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2 ). This study was done to asses HRM PCR as a rapid sensitive and specific method for detection of the most important Candida andaspergillus species causing IFIs in comparison to direct conventional methods (microscopic examination & culture).The study included 100 patients that suspected to have IFIs, Samples were collected for doing blood cultures and HRM PCR. Blood culture was positive in 57 cases (n=57) and negative in 43 cases (n=43). HRM PCR was positive in 14 cases (n=14) and negative in 86 cases (n=86). The 14 positive cases included 4 Candida tropicalis, 4 Candida glabrata and 6 Candida krusei. HRM PCR sensitivity is 24.6%, Specificity is 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) 100% and negative predictive value (NPV) 50% when compared to Blood culture. HRM PCR is specific, reproducible but is not sensitive due to low fungal load in peripheral blood and fungal DNA extraction from it. Blood culture is not replaceable by HRM PCR due to its better sensitivity |