Molecular Detection Of Human Fungal Pathogens

The large number of molecular protocols available creates a dilemma for those attempting to adopt the most appropriate for streamlined identification and detection of fungal pathogens of interest. Molecular Detection of Human Fungal Pathogens provides a reliable and comprehensive resource relating the molecular detection and identification of major human fungal pathogens. This volume contains expert contributions from international mycologists involved in fungal pathogen research and diagnosis. Following a similar format throughout, each chapter comprises: A brief review of the classification, epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnosis of one or a group of related fungal species An outline of clinical sample collection and preparation procedures A selection of representative stepwise molecular detection protocols A discussion on further research requirements for improving the diagnosis The book offers an indispensable tool for medical, veterinary, and industrial laboratory scientists working in the area of fungal determination. It also constitutes a convenient textbook for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in microbiology and is an essential guide for upcoming and experienced laboratory scientists wishing to acquire and polish their skills in molecular diagnosis of fungal diseases.

The first in a series of four books, this comprehensive work details the molecular detection of major human viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens. Focusing on sample preparation and molecular detection procedures, each chapter presents a concise review of the pathogen concerned including its taxonomy, biology, epidemiology and pathogenesis; a description of clinical sample collection preparation procedures; a summary of molecular detection methods; representative molecular detection protocols; and a discussion on the challenges, limitations, and advantages for the current methods as well as further research required to improve diagnosis.

Fungi enjoy great popularity in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and biotechnological applications. Recent advances in the decipherment of whole fungal genomes promise an acceleration of these trends. This timely book links scientists from different parts of the world who are interested in the molecular identification of fungi combined with the exploration of the fungal biodiversity in different ecosystems. It provides a compendium for scientists who rely on a rapid and reliable detection of fungal specimens in environmental as well as clinical resources in order to ensure the benefit of industrial and clinical applications. Chapters focus on the opportunities and limits of the molecular marker-mediated identification of fungi. Various methods, procedures and strategies are outlined. Furthermore, the book offers an update of the current progress in the development of fungal molecular techniques, and draws attention to potential and associated problems, as well as integrating theory and practice.

This detailed volume presents timely and authoritative content offering a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art in fungal diagnostics. Moreover, it addresses on-going developments expected to provide a basis for targeted treatment strategies resulting in improved outcome of invasive mycoses. The knowledge of host-related predisposing factors and stratified treatment options facilitating timely onset of adequate antifungal therapy are critical for successful clinical management and outcome of invasive fungal disease (IFD), requiring not only rapid diagnosis of a fungal infection and identification of the causative species, but also assessment of pathogen/host factors related to pathogenicity, susceptibility, and response to treatment. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Human Fungal Pathogen Identification: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal reference for researchers investigating the ever-growing worldwide healthcare problems involving fungal infections.

As more original molecular protocols and subsequent modifications are described in the literature, it has become difficult for those not directly involved in the development of these protocols to know which are most appropriate to adopt for accurate identification of bacterial pathogens. Molecular Detection of Human Bacterial Pathogens addresses this issue, with international scientists in respective bacterial pathogen research and diagnosis providing expert summaries on current diagnostic approaches for major human bacterial pathogens. Each chapter consists of a brief review on the classification, epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnosis of an important pathogenic bacterial genus, an outline of clinical sample collection and preparation procedures, a selection of representative stepwise molecular protocols, and a discussion on further research requirements relating to improved diagnosis. This book represents a reliable and convenient reference on molecular detection and identification of major human bacterial pathogens; an indispensable tool for upcoming and experienced medical, veterinary, and industrial laboratory scientists engaged in bacterial characterization; and an essential textbook for undergraduate and graduate students in microbiology.

Traditionally, laboratory identification of parasites has relied upon various phenotypic procedures that detect their morphological, biological, and immunological features. Because these procedures tend to be time-consuming and technically demanding, molecular methods based on nucleic acid amplification technologies have been increasingly utilized for rapid, sensitive, and specific characterization of parasites. The large number of original and modified molecular protocols that have been developed over the years creates a dilemma for those attempting to adopt the most appropriate protocol for streamlined identification and detection of human pathogenic organisms of interest. Part of a four-volume collection, Molecular Detection of Human Parasitic Pathogens provides a reliable and comprehensive resource on the molecular detection and identification of major human parasitic pathogens. This volume contains expert contributions from international scientists involved in human parasitic pathogen research and diagnosis. Following a similar format throughout, each chapter includes: A brief review on the classification, biology, epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnosis of an important pathogenic parasitic genus/group An outline of clinical sample collection and preparation procedures and a selection of representative stepwise molecular protocols A discussion on further research needs relating to improved diagnoses of major human parasitic pathogens This versatile reference on molecular detection and identification of major human parasitic pathogens is an indispensable tool for upcoming and experienced medical, veterinary, and industrial laboratory scientists engaged in parasite characterization. It is also suitable as a textbook for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in parasitology.

Since the first edition of Identification of Pathogenic Fungi, there has been incredible progress in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of fungal diseases: new methods of diagnosis have been introduced, and new antifungal agents have been licensed for use. However, these developments have been offset by the emergence of resistance to several classes of drugs, and an increase in infections caused by fungi with innate resistance to one or more classes. Identification of Pathogenic Fungi, Second Edition, assists in the identification of over 100 of the most significant organisms of medical importance. Each chapter is arranged so that the descriptions for similar organisms may be found on adjacent pages. Differential diagnosis details are given for each organism on the basis of both colonial appearance and microscopic characteristics for the organisms described. In this fully updated second edition, a new chapter on the identification of fungi in histopathological sections and smears has been added, while colour illustrations of cultures and microscopic structures have been included, and high quality, four colour digital images are incorporated throughout.