Possible Application of Molecular Genetic Methodsin Medical Mycology

Overview

Molecular genetic methods that use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are due their speed widelyemployed in diagnostic approaches in microbiology. In this report, the possibilities of applicationof these methods in medical mycology are discussed with regard not only to species identification,but also for genotyping of strains for epidemiological purposes. Recently, a tendency to exploitmolecular genetic methods rather for epidemiological studies than for routine species identificationmay be observed. With regard to the high inter-species variability, careful standardization usingsamples of isolates of the tested species from corresponding geographical origin is necessary.Perspectives of future development associated with the explanation of molecular biological relationsbetween human tissues and the pathogen, with the recognition of mechanisms of virulence andresistance to antifungal drugs are discussed.

Key words:
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) – isolation of DNA – species identification – epidemiologicalstudies – mycology.