Molecular Detection of Candidemia in Iraqi Acute Leukemic Patients

number: 
2965
English
Degree: 
Imprint: 
Medicine
Author: 
Saba Sabeeh Ali
Supervisor: 
Dr. Azhar Abdulfatah Ibrahim
Dr. Elham Abood Al-Asswad
year: 
2011
Abstract:

Currently, candidemia infections represent an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality in seriously ill hospitalized patients. Because the accurate diagnosis of candidiasis remains difficult, a fast and reliable assay for characterization of fungal pathogens is critical for the early initiation of adequate antifungal therapy and or for introduction of preventive measures. A total of 60 leukemic patients were included in this study. Clinical type and other demographic data were recorded. Blood samples were taken from each patient, culture; germ tube formation and carbohydrate fermentation were done for each sample. DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used for detection of Candida albicansin cultured bottles.This study showed that by using conventional detection methods, Candida albicans was detected only in one blood sample (1.7%). Using molecular methods, DNA was extracted from three blood cultures (5%) and Candida albicans was detected using polymerase chain reaction in all DNA extracted cases (5%). Also, the value of kappa index showed complete agreement of PCR result with culture results (kappa index = 1) with 100% sensitivity and 96.6% specificity.In this study we conclude that molecular method used for detection of Candida albicans by using primer specific for gene (αINT1) which were derived from integrin – like protein alpha – INT1p is highly specific and sensitive than conventional method.