DNA Probes to Rapidly Screen Candida glabrata Isolates for Echinocandin Resistance to Antifungal Treatment

Candida glabrata is one causative agent of common fungal infections such as candidemia, or Candida (a yeast) present in the bloodstream. Vulnerable populations that can acquire candidemia include immunocompromised individuals such as the elderly and patients receiving chemotherapy. Echinocandins, which disrupt the fungal cell wall, are the most commonly prescribed antifungal treatment for Candida glabrata-induced candidemia. However, mutations in the FKS (FKS1 and FKS2) genes have been shown to cause C. glabrata to become resistant to echinocandins. Currently, resistance to echinocandins is detected by susceptibility testing, which is resource intensive, costly, and requires more than twenty-four hours to process.CDC scientists have developed and validated a set of DNA probes using the Luminex system that can rapidly detect mutations in C. glabrata FSK genes. Such information could assist physicians in developing an effective treatment strategy for their patients with C. glabrata infection. These DNA probes, used together with Luminex technology or other DNA-based technology such as RT-PCR would allow rapid and high throughput identification of FKS mutations in C. glabrata and provide early detection of resistance.IC: CDCNIH Ref. No.: E-132-2014/0Advantages: Early detection of echinocandin resistanceRapid and cost-effectiveAdaptable to low- or high-throughput formatsEasy to analyze probe-based assaysAllele profiles can be easily determinedNewly identified C. gl...
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