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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
Summary
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.