In situ hybridization for specific fungal organisms in acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis

Kathleen T. Montone, Virginia A. LiVolsi, Donald C. Lanza, David W. Kennedy, James Palmer, Alexander G. Chiu, Michael D. Feldman, Laurie A. Loevner, Irving Nachamkin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) most commonly occurs in immunosuppressed patients. The identification of fungal subtypes is important for management, and cultures can be negative. We studied 55 specimens from 23 patients with AIFRS (Rhizopus sp, 6; Aspergillus sp, 8; Fusarium sp, 1; Alternaria sp, 1; and culture negative, 7) using in situ hybridization (ISH) with biotin-labeled oligonucleotide probes targeting Aspergillus sp, Fusarium sp, Rhizopus sp, and a sequence identified in dematiaceous fungi. Ribosomal RNA preservation was established by using a pan-fungal probe. Nucleic acid preservation was seen in 18 patients (33 specimens [60%]). ISH using the specific fungal probes highlighted the respective fungal organisms in all culture-positive cases with adequate negative controls. Of the 7 culture-negative AIFRS cases, 4 had preserved fungal sequences. Of these cases, 2 additional cases of Aspergillus and 1 additional case of dematiaceous species were identified. In our study, 60% of AIFRS cases had fungal nucleic acid preservation. ISH can effectively identify fungi in AIFRS. ISH for specific fungal pathogens may aid in species identification in specimens with negative cultures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)190-199
Number of pages10
JournalAmerican journal of clinical pathology
Volume135
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2011

Keywords

  • Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis
  • Aspergillus
  • Fusarium
  • In situ hybridization
  • Rhizopus
  • Ribosomal RNA

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'In situ hybridization for specific fungal organisms in acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this