RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Spiliopoulou, Anastasia A1 Bartzavali, Christina A1 Jelastopulu, Eleni A1 Anastassiou, Evangelos D. A1 Christofidou, MyrtoYR 2015 T1 Evaluation of a commercial PCR test for the diagnosis of dermatophyte nail infections JF Journal of Medical Microbiology, VO 64 IS 1 SP 25 OP 31 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.079962-0 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1473-5644, AB Tinea unguium, known as onychomycosis, is a dermatophyte infection of nails with worldwide distribution. Conventional methods for detecting fungi in nail specimens are either non-specific (microscopy) or insensitive (culture). PCR has been used to improve sensitivity in detecting the causative fungi in nail specimens from patients with suspected onychomycosis. Results of a commercial multiplex PCR for the detection of dermatophytes, especially Trichophyton rubrum (the main dermatophyte implicated), as compared to conventional methods are presented. A total of 418 nail scrapings obtained from dermatological outpatients were handled in the Laboratory of Microbiology between May 2010 and May 2013. Among them, multiplex PCR detected 126 (30.1 %) dermatophyte-positive samples, whereas culture revealed 44 (10.5 %). Direct microscopy revealed 63 (15.1 %) positive specimens. T. rubrum was identified in 116 out of 126 (92 %) positive PCR samples and 40 out of 44 (91 %) dermatophyte-positive cultures. Implementation of PCR increased species-specific detection of dermatophytes by 21.1 %, leading to a threefold increase as compared to culture alone. Multiplex PCR offers a time-saving diagnostic tool for tinea unguium and augments laboratory assistance to clinical evaluation for proper treatment., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.079962-0