Respiratory fungal infections: molecular diagnostic tests

Kevin C Hazen

doi:10.1016/j.cll.2014.02.008

Respiratory fungal infections: molecular diagnostic tests

Clin Lab Med. 2014 Jun;34(2):351-64. doi: 10.1016/j.cll.2014.02.008. Epub 2014 Apr 12.

Author

Kevin C Hazen¹

Affiliation

¹ Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Duke University Health System, 2902 DUMC, 116 CARL Building, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Electronic address: kevin.hazen@duke.edu.

PMID: 24856532
DOI: 10.1016/j.cll.2014.02.008

Abstract

Fungal infection of the respiratory tract can take several forms, the most common of which is pneumonia. Fungal infection can occur in the immunocompetent typically as a result of inhalation of a large inoculum of fungal elements. However, the number of etiologic agents attacking immunocompetent individuals and causing significant infection is limited. Molecular assays are a potential additional and sensitive weapon that can be added to the diagnostic arsenal used by physicians to determine whether a fungus is definitively, probably, or possibly causing infection in a patient.

Keywords: Assay; Fungal infection; PCR; Species.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques*
Molecular Typing*
Mycological Typing Techniques*
Mycoses / diagnosis*
Mycoses / microbiology
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Respiratory Tract Infections / diagnosis*
Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology