Application of Real-Time PCR Assays for the Diagnosis of Histoplasmosis in Human FFPE Tissues Using Three Molecular Targets

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. This causes significant morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV/AIDS, especially countries limited resources. Currently used diagnostic tests rely on culture serology but some limitations. No molecular assays are commercially available results from different reports have been variable. We aimed to evaluate quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) targeting three protein-coding genes of capsulatum (100-kDa, H M antigens) for detection this formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples patients proven histoplasmosis. The sensitivity 100-kDa, qPCR were 93.9%, 91% 57%, respectively. specificity 100-kDa was 93% when compared against other mycoses infections, 100% non-infectious diseases as controls. Our findings demonstrate that antigen showed most reliable can be successfully diagnosing mycosis testing FFPE samples.