Detection of Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii DNA
Coccidioides immitis is a pathogenic fungus that resides in the soil in certain parts of the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. C. immitis and a closely related species Coccidioides posadasii, can cause a disease called coccidioidomycosis, and it is also a rare cause of meningitis, mostly in immunocompromised persons. The illness commonly manifests as a self-limited, upper respiratory tract infection, but it can also result in disseminated disease that may be refractory to treatment.
The Molecular Microbiology laboratory designed a specific primer mix that can amplify both Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. These specific primers are used in a nested PCR following amplification of the ITS2 region. More recently the laboratory has designed FRET probes specific for detecting Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii.
David J. DiCaudo Coccidioidomycosis: A review and update J Am Acad Dermatol 2006;55:929-42
DNA extraction, nucleic acid purification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing
David J. DiCaudo Coccidioidomycosis: A review and update J Am Acad Dermatol 2006;55:929-42
Acceptable specimens are listed below. Please see Molecular Microbiology Specimen Submission for complete specimen collection and handling instructions.
Shipping/Handling
Acceptable Specimens
*Mycobacterium avium complex DNA Detection [MAVDNA] can be ordered on sputum
**Fungal PCR reflex NGS [FUNDNA] and Fungal DNA Detection by PCR (without reflex to NGS) [NRFDNA] may have interference due to some lots of eSwabs which have been found to contain Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA, resulting in false positive detection. Clinical correlation and/or retesting with a different collection method is advised. The detection of S. cerevisiae from eSwab specimens can interfere with our ability to rule out other fungal DNA.
Unacceptable Specimens
Optimal Quantity:
Please note: We do not need a separate specimen aliquot for each test ordered. Only a single specimen aliquot or block of optimal quantity is necessary for performing multiple tests. If multiple aliquots or blocks of optimal quantity are sent, up to 2 will be pooled.
Fresh tissue is the optimal specimen of choice, as it reduces the chance of introducing exogenous DNA templates or microorganisms during embedding/fixation. Formalin fixation dramatically reduces the sensitivity of the assays due to reduced template yield and quality.
Please see Molecular Microbiology Specimen Submission for complete specimen collection and handling instructions.
UWMC/HMC: Store and send fresh tissue/fluid specimens refrigerated, if specimen storage and transport will exceed 8 hours, freeze at -20°C. Freeze all fresh tissue/fluid specimens at -20°C upon arrival in UW Molecular Microbiology.
UW-MT |
Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics
206-520-4600 ---------------------------------------- Shipping Address Attn: Molecular Microbiology Performing Lab Address Clinical Microbiology Lab, NW177 |
Contact Information Please e-mail us with any questions or comments you may have. Your inquiry will be answered as soon as possible. email: molmicdx@uw.edu The Molecular Microbiology lab is open from Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm PDT. Billing inquiries and requests for faxed reports can be made to our Client Services Department at (206) 520-4600 or (800) 713-5198. For results or other inquiries, we can be reached by phone at the following numbers:
For assistance during weekends, holidays and after hours, please contact Lab Medicine Resident at (206) 598-6190 |
---|