PCR For Detecting Early Invastive Candidiasis Of Mice

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of invasive candidiasis has increased greatly in recent years due to the frequent use of corticosteroid, immunosuppressant and antibacterial drugs. This incidence is even greater among patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Standard methods for the diagnosis of Candida infections include blood culture and histopathology ,but these methods have limited sensitivity and specificity. The PCR assay for detection of fungal infection has been cared much in recent years. By amplification,it makes specimens with little DNA to be detected quickly. In this study, to investigating the diagnostic usefulness of PCR assay,we detected C.albicans in serum specimens of systemically infected mice by PCR, as well as the effects of invasive candidiasis treated with Fluconazole.METHODS: 1.DNA extracted by boiling , we tested several different CFU of C.albicans by PCR assay. 2. PCR with serum from invasive candidiasis mice for diagnosis of candidemia comparing with blood or liver culture. 3.PCR is used for monitoring the effects of invasive candidiasis treated with Fluconazole.RESULTS: 1.The PCR results are positive for 1×106,1×105,1×104,1×103,1×102,1×101 CFU/ml of C.albicans respectively ,and negative for 1×100 CFU/ml. 2. For the neutropenic mice with an invasive infection, a higher percentage of positive test results was obtained by PCR than was obtained by conventional blood culture. 3.Fluconazole has good effects for invasive candidiasis of mice.CONCLUSION: PCR assay is a better method for diagnosis of invasive candidiasis because it is more quickly, more sensitively, more specifically than blood culture, Fluconazole has good efficacy for treating invasive candidiasis, and PCR assay may be used for monitoring the effects of fluconazole for invasive candidiasis.