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Published on: December 26, 2012
Molecular identification of yeast communities isolated from nail specimens by PCR-RFLP and PCR-FSP methods
Ahmad Jabrodini1, Mitra Zaighami1, Ali Khodadadi2
1Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Background And Purpose:
Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection that affects the nails, caused by various fungal agents. Moreover, yeast onychomycosis has increased in recent years. Yeast isolates might not be identified at the species level by conventional methods, whereas molecular methods can identify yeast isolates more accurately. This study aimed to identify yeast communities isolated from nail specimens by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and PCR- fragment size polymorphism (FSP) methods.
Materials And Methods:
This experimental study was conducted on archival yeast isolates obtained from 269 patients suspected of onychomycosis who referred to the Medical Mycology Laboratory at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Shiraz, Iran, between April 2022 and March 2023. Onychomycosis was confirmed through direct examination and culture of nail specimens. The PCR-RFLP and PCR-FSP methods were used to identify yeast isolates.
Results:
In total, 78 (28.99%) yeast strains were identified. Candida albicans was the most common species, followed by Candida parapsilosis complex and Candida tropicalis. Uncommon species of yeasts, such as Candida utilis, Candida pararugosa, Candida nivariensis, and Rhodotorula rubra were identified by molecular methods. The PCR-FSP method showed a strong agreement with the PCR-RFLP method in the identification of common yeast agents causing onychomycosis (κ=0.84).
Conclusion:
It seems necessary to use molecular diagnostic tools in addition to conventional methods to identify yeast isolates in clinical laboratories. The rapid and accurate identification of fungal agents causing onychomycosis is useful for the selection of an appropriate treatment strategy.
Insights
Molecular methods accurately identify yeast causing onychomycosis, including uncommon species. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and PCR-fragment size polymorphism (PCR-FSP) improve diagnosis for effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Onychomycosis is a prevalent fungal nail infection with increasing yeast involvement.
- Conventional methods struggle to identify yeast species accurately.
- Molecular techniques offer enhanced precision for yeast identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify yeast communities from onychomycosis nail specimens.
- To compare the efficacy of PCR-RFLP and PCR-FSP for yeast identification.
- To highlight the importance of molecular diagnostics in clinical mycology.
Main Methods:
- Archival yeast isolates from 269 onychomycosis-suspected patients were analyzed.
- Nail specimens were confirmed positive for onychomycosis via direct examination and culture.
- Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and PCR-fragment size polymorphism (PCR-FSP) were employed for yeast identification.
Main Results:
- A total of 78 yeast strains were identified, with *Candida albicans* being the most common.
- Molecular methods identified uncommon yeasts like *Candida utilis* and *Rhodotorula rubra*.
- PCR-FSP demonstrated high concordance with PCR-RFLP (κ=0.84) in identifying common yeast pathogens.
Conclusions:
- Molecular diagnostic tools are essential adjuncts to conventional methods for clinical laboratories.
- Accurate and rapid identification of fungal agents is crucial for optimal onychomycosis treatment strategies.
- The study underscores the utility of PCR-based methods in diagnosing yeast onychomycosis.
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