Identification of moulds in the diagnostic laboratory--an algorithm implementing molecular and phenotypic methods

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2007 Sep;59(1):49-60. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2007.04.020. Epub 2007 Jul 26.

Abstract

Sequence analysis provides a valuable alternative to phenotypic identification of moulds, especially for isolates lacking characteristic morphology. In this comparative prospective study, isolates that could not be identified by standard phenotypic criteria within 5 days (n = 244) were subjected to sequence analysis and further in-depth phenotypic investigations. Comparison of sequence-based with extended phenotypic identification revealed that sequence analysis was more precise in 52.0% of the isolates; in 38.6% of the isolates, both methods gave concordant results. The construction of a database consisting of high-quality sequences allowed improvement of sequence-based identification. Based on these results, we propose a diagnostic algorithm for the effective use of both phenotypic and genetic procedures for identification of moulds in the diagnostic laboratory.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Database Management Systems
  • Databases, Genetic*
  • Fungi / classification*
  • Fungi / genetics
  • Humans
  • Microbiological Techniques
  • Mycoses / classification*
  • Mycoses / genetics
  • Phenotype