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Rapid and Accurate Molecular Identification of the Emerging Multidrug-Resistant Pathogen Candida auris
Milena Kordalewska1, Yanan Zhao2, Shawn R Lockhart3
1Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey, USA milena.kordalewska@rutgers.edu perlinds@njms.rutgers.edu.
Abstract:
Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen causing nosocomial and invasive infections associated with high mortality. C. auris is commonly misidentified as several different yeast species by commercially available phenotypic identification platforms. Thus, there is an urgent need for a reliable diagnostic method. In this paper, we present fast, robust, easy-to-perform and interpret PCR and real-time PCR assays to identify C. auris and related species: Candida duobushaemulonii, Candida haemulonii, and Candida lusitaniae Targeting rDNA region nucleotide sequences, primers specific for C. auris only or C. auris and related species were designed. A panel of 140 clinical fungal isolates was used in both PCR and real-time PCR assays followed by electrophoresis or melting temperature analysis, respectively. The identification results from the assays were 100% concordant with DNA sequencing results. These molecular assays overcome the deficiencies of existing phenotypic tests to identify C. auris and related species.
Insights
A new PCR assay accurately identifies the dangerous fungus Candida auris and related species. This rapid molecular method overcomes limitations of current tests, improving diagnosis of this multidrug-resistant pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen causing invasive infections with high mortality.
- Current phenotypic identification methods frequently misidentify C. auris.
- There is a critical need for accurate and rapid diagnostic tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate fast, robust PCR and real-time PCR assays for identifying Candida auris.
- To differentiate C. auris from closely related species like Candida duobushaemulonii, Candida haemulonii, and Candida lusitaniae.
Main Methods:
- Design of species-specific primers targeting the rDNA region.
- Application of PCR and real-time PCR assays on 140 clinical fungal isolates.
- Analysis of results using electrophoresis and melting temperature analysis.
Main Results:
- The developed PCR and real-time PCR assays demonstrated 100% concordance with DNA sequencing.
- Assays provide fast, reliable, and easy-to-interpret identification of C. auris and related species.
- Molecular methods successfully overcame the limitations of phenotypic identification.
Conclusions:
- The presented molecular assays offer a reliable alternative to conventional diagnostic methods for C. auris.
- These assays are crucial for timely and accurate diagnosis, aiding in infection control and patient management.
- The study highlights the importance of molecular techniques in identifying emerging fungal pathogens.
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