Molecular detection of fungal pathogens.
MOLECULAR DETECTION OF FUNGAL DISEASES
INTRODUCTION
With the rise of many new diseases caused due to viruses, bacteria and fungi; it is essential for the rapid detection of such diseases. The severity of such diseases can be reduced by its rapid detection carried out by different methods. The conventional methods may include the idea of just identifying the disease symptoms, identification of these pathogens in the laboratory by different morphological and biochemical tests, etc [1]. The conventional methods may include certain disadvantages like incorrect identification which would eventually lead to an incorrect diagnosis and a wrong treatment. Certain other factors also need to be kept in mind like:-[1,3]
Requirement of highly skilled laboratory personnel,
High risk of contamination,
Time consuming,
Antigenic cross reactivity between species and genera,
Possibly hazardous cultures, and,
Non – quantitative.
Keeping the above points with respect to the conventional methods, rapid molecular diagnostic tests have been developed. Molecular diagnostic tests include PCR, immunoassays, and DNA/RNA probe technology [1].
FUNGAL DISEASES
Unlike viral pathogens which are breaking headlines in the news, it has often been said that fungal diseases are a silent epidemic [2]. Fungal diseases normally affect immune – compromised hosts, patients requiring complex surgical procedures like in trauma cases, or in patients hospitalized with severe diseases like acute myelogenous leukemia. Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans are the major cause invasive filamentous infections and other yeast related infections [2]. The centre for disease control and prevention has categorized fungal infections into three main categories –
1) Opportunistic infections – These infections affect people suffering from severe diseases which have weakened the immune system. Examples include cancer, HIV/AIDS, transplant recipients etc. Such people usually suffer from
INTRODUCTION
With the rise of many new diseases caused due to viruses, bacteria and fungi; it is essential for the rapid detection of such diseases. The severity of such diseases can be reduced by its rapid detection carried out by different methods. The conventional methods may include the idea of just identifying the disease symptoms, identification of these pathogens in the laboratory by different morphological and biochemical tests, etc [1]. The conventional methods may include certain disadvantages like incorrect identification which would eventually lead to an incorrect diagnosis and a wrong treatment. Certain other factors also need to be kept in mind like:-[1,3]
Requirement of highly skilled laboratory personnel,
High risk of contamination,
Time consuming,
Antigenic cross reactivity between species and genera,
Possibly hazardous cultures, and,
Non – quantitative.
Keeping the above points with respect to the conventional methods, rapid molecular diagnostic tests have been developed. Molecular diagnostic tests include PCR, immunoassays, and DNA/RNA probe technology [1].
FUNGAL DISEASES
Unlike viral pathogens which are breaking headlines in the news, it has often been said that fungal diseases are a silent epidemic [2]. Fungal diseases normally affect immune – compromised hosts, patients requiring complex surgical procedures like in trauma cases, or in patients hospitalized with severe diseases like acute myelogenous leukemia. Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans are the major cause invasive filamentous infections and other yeast related infections [2]. The centre for disease control and prevention has categorized fungal infections into three main categories –
1) Opportunistic infections – These infections affect people suffering from severe diseases which have weakened the immune system. Examples include cancer, HIV/AIDS, transplant recipients etc. Such people usually suffer from