Molecular Diagnostics for Invasive Molds: From Lab to Bedside

Abstract

This review highlights the current state of molecular diagnostic modalities to detect invasive fungal infections, with a focus on molds in immunocompromised children and adults. Molecular diagnostics may also be utilized to detect antifungal drug resistance. Although both pathogen-specific and pathogen-agnostic assays may be beneficial in more rapidly identifying fungal infection with less invasive sampling in high-risk populations, the clinical implementation and interpretation of these tests must consider several important factors, including anatomic site and type of specimen, host characteristics, use of antifungal prophylaxis, and timing of specimen collection.

Keywords: Fungal diagnostics; Immunocompromised host; Invasive fungal disease; Metagenomic sequencing; Molecular diagnostics; Mycoses; PCR.