DNA typing of epidemiologically-related isolates ofAspergillus fumigatus

Abstract

SUMMARYInvasive aspergillosis is often nosocomially acquired and carries a high mortality. Molecular typing methods to discriminate isolates have now been developed. Using simple restriction endonuclease (Sal1 andXho1) digestion of total genomic DNA, we have typed 25 epidemiologically-related isolates ofA. fumigatusfrom six hospital episodes of invasive aspergillosis. Eight DNA types were found and in each case the DNA type matched precisely the epidemiological data. Thus DNA typing ofA. fumigatuscan provide the means to match isolates from linked sources and distinguish isolates from diverse origins.