The introduction of PCR method has accelerated the diagnosis of superficial fungal infections of the skin

Researchers from the University of Oulu and NordLab investigated the significance of the introduction of the PCR method for the speed of diagnosing superficial fungal infections of the skin. PCR is a common molecular biology research method that allows the amplification of a single DNA molecule very quickly and cost-effectively.

A fast and sensitive method

A study recently published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum showed that the use of the PCR method shortened the diagnosis time of fungal infections from almost three weeks to less than a day.

According to the study, between 2019 and 2022, it took an average of 19 days from the start of cultivation to the identification of the fungus in the NordLab operating area. Alternatively, when using the PCR method during the same period in the same area, the identification of the fungus took an average of 16 hours.

The introduction of the PCR method has therefore significantly accelerated diagnostics without affecting the range of fungi identified quantitatively. The proportion of positive samples among all samples taken was higher with the PCR method compared to samples examined with the cultivation method, meaning it was also slightly more sensitive in identifying fungal infections.

"With the use of the PCR method, the medical treatment of fungal infections can be targeted and limited much faster than with the use of the cultivation method," says CMO Ilkka Junttila, Professor of Clinical Microbiology at the University of Oulu. "This is of great importance from the perspective of antimicrobial treatment sensitivity issues; too long or broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment promotes the increase of resistant strains."

Superficial fungal infections of the skin are quite common infections. In primary health care, fungal infections are among the ten most commonly diagnosed skin diseases, so rapid diagnostics of these diseases is important. Previously, the diagnosis of these infections was based on fungal cultivation, which is an accurate but relatively slow method.

In addition to researchers from the University of Oulu and NordLab, researchers from the University of Tampere, Fimlab, Oulu University Hospital, and Huslab also participated in the study.

Research publication: Aho-Laukkanen E, Mäki-Koivisto V, Torvikoski J, Sinikumpu SP, Huilaja L, Junttila IS. PCR enables rapid detection of dermatophytes in practice. Microbiol Spectr 0:e01049-24. https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.01049-24