Rapid detection of fungal keratitis by semi-nested PCR
- Author:
Nhung Hong Pham
;
Trung Vu Nguyen
;
Ngoc Hong Le
;
Lan Thi Thu Pham
;
Thu Anh Tran
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Fungal keratitis;
semi-nested PCR
- MeSH:
Fungal keratitis;
semi-nested PCR
- From:Journal of Medical Research
2008;56(4):46-50
- CountryViet Nam
- Language:Vietnamese
-
Abstract:
Background: Fungal keratitis is a serious ocular infection that can cause corneal scarring and blindness. Currently, diagnosis of fungal pathogens remains a difficult problem. Objectives: To investigate the application of semi-nested PCR targeted ITS genes for detection of fungal agents causing keratitis. Material and method: Ten identified fungal strains, 4 bacterial strains, 20 scraping samples from patients with suspected fungal keratitis and 2 scraping samples from patients with suspected bacterial keratitis were tested using semi-nested PCR. Results: Semi-nested PCR showed positive results for the samples of identified fungal strains and for the 20 scraping samples from patients with suspected fungal keratitis. Neither samples of bacterial strains nor scraping samples from suspected bacterial keratitis patients gave positive PCR results. Conclusion: Semi-nested PCR is a robust tool for specific and rapid detection of fungal agents causing keratitis.
