• Diagnose Candida infection with any of 5 clinically important species

Candidiasis accounts for the majority of fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals such as transplant recipients and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.¹ Also at high risk of infection are neutropenic individuals, patients with central venous catheters, and those being treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics.¹ Candidiasis can range from relatively benign skin infections, to bloodstream infections (candidemia), to invasive infections that can involve any organ.² The most frequent species causing candidiasis is C albicans, although other Candida species are increasing in prevalence and differ in their responses to antifungal agents such as fluconazole.¹ Rapid identification of Candida species in high-risk patients can lead to timely treatment with an appropriate antifungal agent.

Blood tests can be used to detect candidemia and other forms of invasive candidiasis. Current laboratory assays include blood culture (the current gold standard) and antigen tests. However, these assays tend to have limited sensitivity, and blood cultures may also have long turnaround times.^1,3,4 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection of Candida spp may prove to be a rapid and sensitive alternative.^3,4

• Qualitative real-time PCR

• Analytical sensitivity

A detected result for a Candida species indicates that species-specific DNA is present. A not detected result for a Candida species indicates that species-specific DNA is either absent or is present at a concentration below the detection limit for that species. False-positive results may be obtained in patients infected with C orthopsilosis or C metapsilosis or in patients with high concentrations of Lodderomyces elongisporus or Pichia fermentans.