Pneumocystis DNA detection by PCR

General Information

Lab Name

Pneumocystis DNA detection by PCR

Lab Code

PNEDNA

Epic Name

Pneumocystis DNA detection by PCR

Description

Detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii (previously Pneumocystis carinii) DNA.

Pneumocystis jirovecii (formerly Pneumocystis carinii) is an opportunistic fungal pathogen which can cause pneumonia in patients with impaired immune systems, such as those with AIDS or who are receiving immunosuppressive drugs. It is important to accurately identify the presence of Pneumocystis in immunocompromised patients for the implementation of proper therapy. Conventional diagnosis is based on direct microscopic examination of respiratory specimens, but these methods can often be difficult to interpret. PCR allows for more definitive detection of Pneumocystis in clinical specimens.

The UWMC Molecular Diagnosis laboratory utilizes a real-time PCR protocol with fluorescent probes targeted to the Kex-1 gene to identify Pneumocystis jirovecii in clinical specimens. Pneumocystis PCR detects Pneumocystis jirovecii with higher sensitivity than the broad-range fungal PCR. The analytic sensitivity is 6 genomes per PCR reaction.

Forms & Requisitions

Molecular Microbiology Order Form

Synonyms

molecular PCP, molecular PJP, molecular Pneumocystis, PCP, PCP detection, PCP identification, PCP PCR, PCP sequencing, PJP, PJP detection, PJP identification, PJP PCR, PJP sequencing, Pneumocystis carinii PCR, Pneumocystis detection, Pneumocystis identification, Pneumocystis jiroveci, Pneumocystis jirovecii PCR, Pneumocystis PCR, Pneumocystis sequencing, universal PCR

Components

Code	Name
PNERS	Pneumocystis PCR: Detection, Kex1
PNEID	Pneumocystis PCR: Identification, Kex1
PNESI	Pneumocystis PCR: Specimen Description
PNESPI	Pneumocystis PCR: External Identifier
PNESR	Pneumocystis PCR: Special Requests
PNESC	Pneumocystis PCR: Specimen Comments
PNENAE	Pneumocystis PCR: Specimen DNA Extraction
PNEREV	Pneumocystis PCR: Pathologist Review
PNEME	Pneumocystis PCR: Method Note