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Polymerase chain reaction diagnosis of fungal disease: Finally coming of age

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Abstract

Definitive diagnosis of invasive fungal disease (IFD) remains limited, and nonculture diagnostic tests could improve this. Serologic testing for biomarkers is standardized through commercial manufacture and is gaining widespread application and incorporation into disease-defining guidelines, whereas most molecular assays remain “in-house” with few commercial tests and limited clinical validation. Standardization of molecular testing will need to be genus-specific because different diseases present and progress in various ways, influencing the optimal specimen choice. Methodologic standardization is almost complete for Aspergillus polymerase chain reaction and will be used to determine clinical performance. The new generation of broad-range systems capable of detecting and differentiating fungi may provide the best route to covering the spectrum of IFD, but evaluation is required and will be difficult to achieve for some of the less prevalent IFDs.

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  1. NPHS Microbiology Cardiff, UHW, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, UK

    P. Lewis White

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  1. P. Lewis White
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  2. Michael D. Perry
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Correspondence to P. Lewis White.

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Lewis White, P., Perry, M.D. & Barnes, R.A. Polymerase chain reaction diagnosis of fungal disease: Finally coming of age. Curr Fungal Infect Rep 3, 207–215 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-009-0029-3

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