Identification of Dermatophytes Using Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allows more than two target DNA molecules to be amplified with more than two primers. This method is also useful for detecting various other organisms simultaneously within a single test tube, and the scope of its use has been expanding widely in the field of clinical microbiology in recent years. OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of multiplex PCR in identification of dermatophytes. METHODS: Using three specially-designed primers which contained the ITS1-2, 18S rRNA, and 28S rRNA regions, three cycles of PCR were performed on 11 standard strains and scales were collected from 73 patients with fungal infection. RESULTS: The 11 standard strains were successfully identified with analysis of band patterns of ITS1-2, 18S rRNA, and 28S rRNA, obtained from PCR. Based on this information, the causative organisms in 73 patients with fungal infection were revealed to be T. rubrum in 69 cases, T. menta in 1 case, T. tonsurans in 2 cases, and M. gypseum in one case. CONCLUSION: With three cycles of PCR using three sets of primers, 11 standard strains and the clinical strains from 73 patients with fungal infection were successfully identified.