Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
Dihydropteroate synthase gene mutations in Pneumocystis jiroveci strains isolated from immunocompromised patients
M A Jarboui1, A Sellami, H Sellami
1Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Medecine Sfax, Magida Boulila Street, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia.
Abstract:
The emergence of Pneumocystis jiroveci drug resistance has been suggested recently by the mutations in the gene encoding dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS). The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of DHPS mutations in P. jiroveci strains isolates from bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) and sputum samples of 21 immunocompromised patients. We used the touchdown-PCR for amplification of DHPS gene and the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique for discrimination of wild and mutant DHPS genotypes. The DHPS amplification was positive in 17 patients (81%). The association of wild genotype and mutant genotype was detected in two patients after the enzymatic digestion of the PCR products by AccI and HaeIII. No mutations in the DHPS gene were seen in 15 patients. In addition, no variation was observed in DHPS genotypes detected in the repeated specimens (BAL and sputum) from some patients. The touchdown PCR-RFLP technique is a simple and rapid method for revelation of DHPS gene mutations in P. jiroveci strains. It could be advantageously used in clinical laboratory to control the prevalence of mutations associated with sulfa resistance.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...
Mutations in Microorganisms
Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
Point and Frameshift Mutations
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation

