Publication: Molecular identification of curvularia species and the characteristics of their infections
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Date
2018-12
Authors
Kassim, Nur Shahira
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Abstract
The incidence of fungal infection has dramatically increased in recent years. Early
diagnosis and rapid intervention is a critical element to determine the effective treatment in
fungal infection. The laboratory diagnosis of the Curvularia infection in Hospital USM
currently depends on the conventional methods of microscopic and culture which is timeconsuming,
and the sensitivity is not known. In this study, molecular identification of
Curvularia species was done using Internal Transcribed Spacer - Polymerase Chain
Reaction (ITS-PCR) and sequencing. The characteristics of Curvularia infections in
Hospital USM were also described. A total of 19 Curvularia spp. were isolated from all
specimen from the year 2001 to 2018. ITS sequencing was able to identify 11 (57.8%) C.
lunata, three Curvularia geniculata, two C. brachyspora, and one C. crepinii. Males were
noted to be more affected than females. More than 50% of the patients belonged to age
group of 40 years and above. Curvularia spp. were isolated mainly from corneal scraping
(74%, n=14). Other specimens included blood, bronchoalveolar lavage and tissue. Most of
the patients presented with comeal ulcers. A total of 16 patients (84%) received antifungal
therapy and majority of the patients (79%) had clinical cure.