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Genus- and Species-Specific PCR Detection Methods

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Human Fungal Pathogen Identification

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1508))

Abstract

PCR-based detection of fungal pathogens offers a sensitive and specific tool for the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections. A large variety of different clinical specimen types can be used as original material. However, certain precautions, in addition to the published MIQE guidelines [1], need to be taken to prevent contaminations from airborne fungal spores and PCR reagents. In addition, the European Aspergillus PCR Initiative (EAPCRI) recently defined standards for Aspergillus PCR [2, 3], following these recommendations leads to superior sensitivity. The combination of fungal PCR with the galactomannan ELISA assay increases the sensitivity for the detection of Aspergillus DNA from blood, compared to a single assay only [4, 5].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medizinische Klinik II, Universitätklinikum Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Würzburg, 97080, Germany

    Jan Springer & Jürgen Löffler

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  1. Jan Springer
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  2. Jürgen Löffler
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Correspondence to Jürgen Löffler .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Children’s Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), St.Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria

    Thomas Lion

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Springer, J., Löffler, J. (2017). Genus- and Species-Specific PCR Detection Methods. In: Lion, T. (eds) Human Fungal Pathogen Identification. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1508. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6515-1_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6515-1_15

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-6513-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-6515-1

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