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Performance of Multiplex PCR and β-1,3-D-Glucan Testing for the Diagnosis of Candidemia

Authors :
Özlem Koc
Harald H. Kessler
Martin Hoenigl
Johannes Wagener
Sebastian Suerbaum
Sören Schubert
Karl Dichtl
Source :
Journal of Fungi, Vol 8, Iss 9, p 972 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

Bloodstream infections caused by Candida yeasts (candidemia) are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis remains challenging, with the current gold standard—isolation from blood culture (BC)—being limited by low sensitivity and long turnaround time. This study evaluated the performance of two nonculture methods: PCR and β-1,3-D-glucan (BDG) testing. The sera of 103 patients with BC-proven candidemia and of 46 controls were analyzed with the Fungiplex Candida Real-Time PCR and the Wako β-Glucan Test. The BDG assay demonstrated higher sensitivity than the multiplex PCR (58% vs. 33%). This was particularly evident in ICU patients (60% vs. 28%) and in C. albicans candidemia (57% vs. 37%). The earlier prior to BC sampling the sera were obtained, the more the PCR sensitivity decreased (46% to 18% in the periods of 0–2 and 3–5 days before BC, respectively), while BDG testing was independent of the sampling date. No positive PCR results were obtained in sera sampled more than five days before BC. Specificities were 89% for BDG and 93% for PCR testing. In conclusion, BDG testing demonstrated several advantages over PCR testing for the diagnosis of candidemia, including higher sensitivity and earlier diagnosis. However, BC remains essential, as BDG does not allow for species differentiation.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2309608X
Volume :
8
Issue :
9
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of Fungi
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.36b243fde3844ff9854a763b8a971d68
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8090972