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Apophysomyces elegans: an emerging zygomycete in India

A Chakrabarti1, A Ghosh, G S Prasad

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India. chakrab@sancharnet.in

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|February 8, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Apophysomyces elegans, a rare fungus, causes various zygomycosis infections. Rapid DNA identification methods aid in diagnosing this emerging pathogen, improving patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Apophysomyces elegans is a rare zygomycete with significant medical importance.
  • Zygomycosis, a serious fungal infection, can be caused by A. elegans.
  • Understanding the clinical presentation and diagnosis of A. elegans infections is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the clinical features and outcomes of zygomycosis caused by Apophysomyces elegans.
  • To evaluate a DNA-based method for rapid identification of A. elegans.
  • To investigate interstrain polymorphism within A. elegans using molecular techniques.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of eight patient cases with A. elegans zygomycosis.
  • Application of DNA-based methods, including PCR-RFLP of the ITS region using MboI, MspI, and HinfI enzymes, for fungal identification.
  • Microsatellite PCR fingerprinting using (GTG)(5) and (GAC)(5) primers for strain typing.

Main Results:

  • Eight cases of A. elegans zygomycosis were identified over 25 months, presenting with cutaneous, renal, rhino-orbital, or disseminated infections.
  • Two patients with underlying diabetes mellitus and chronic alcoholism were identified.
  • DNA-based methods enabled rapid and specific identification of A. elegans, distinguishing strains into two groups via PCR fingerprinting.

Conclusions:

  • Apophysomyces elegans is an emerging cause of zygomycosis with a diverse clinical spectrum.
  • Rapid molecular diagnostic techniques are valuable for identifying A. elegans.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for favorable outcomes in A. elegans infections.

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