Molecular identification tools for sibling species of Scedosporium and Pseudallescheria

Med Mycol. 2012 Jul;50(5):497-508. doi: 10.3109/13693786.2011.618939. Epub 2011 Oct 17.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop molecular identification tools for currently recognized species of Pseudallescheria and Scedosporium through the use of species-specific primers and RFLP, so as to enhance rapid differentiation of clinically relevant species. The variability of species was established in a set of 681 Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) and 349 ß-tubulin (BT2) sequences. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism profile clustering matched with BT2 results, whereas ITS grouping was less detailed. ITS was sufficient for the differentiation of most haplotypes of clinically relevant species (P. apiosperma, P. boydii, S. aurantiacum, S. dehoogii, and S. prolificans) and of environmental species (P. minutispora and Lophotrichus fimeti) when Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) were applied. For the identification of P. apiosperma and P. boydii species-specific BT2 primers were needed. Pseudallescheria fusoidea, P. ellipsoidea and P. angusta remained difficult to distinguish from P. boydii.

MeSH terms

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Fungal / analysis
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / analysis*
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mycological Typing Techniques / methods*
  • Mycoses / diagnosis
  • Mycoses / microbiology*
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Pseudallescheria / classification
  • Pseudallescheria / genetics*
  • Scedosporium / classification
  • Scedosporium / genetics*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Species Specificity
  • Tubulin / genetics

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer
  • Tubulin