Diagnóstico molecular de candidemia mediante PCR semianidada en pacientes críticos

objectives: to standardize a molecular test based on semi-nested pcr for diagnosis of candidemia. methods: we developed a pilot study by means of optimizing the extraction protocol and use of ribosomal dna, amplifying the complete its-2 region of candida spp. and by semi-nested pcr reamplifying specific segments of nine clinically relevant candida species. clinical samples of plasma of critically ill patients with microbiologically proven candidemia from a third level hospital in bogotá. another sample of simulated candidemia was used with candida strain form a urine sample. results: we were able to standardize this technique and achieved from clinical samples of plasma a likely sensitivity of 90% and a theoretical specificity of 100%. the detection capability of this test is up to 1 cell per 200 μl of plasma. conclusion: a molecular test for detection of candidemia among critically ill patients was standardized (acta med colomb 2011; 36: 135-140).