Rapid Detection of Species of the Opportunistic Yeast Trichosporon by PCR

Abstract

ABSTRACT Trichosporon species are opportunistic pathogens, associated with a high mortality rate in immunocompromised patients. Oligonucleotide primers were used to amplify a 170-bp fragment of small-subunit ribosomal DNA of all species in the genus Trichosporon by PCR. The primers amplify DNAs of all species in the genus Trichosporon , including six causative agents of trichosporonosis. DNAs of other medically important yeasts, such as Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans , are not amplified by this detection system.