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PCR enables rapid detection of dermatophytes in practice

Summary

Researchers in Finland studied how a fast DNA test (PCR) can detect fungal skin infections better than traditional slow culture methods. The new test, called DermaGenius, gives results in just 16 hours instead of 19 days. By 2022, most fungal infection samples were tested using this faster method, which helps doctors treat patients quickly without unnecessary medications.

Background

Dermatophytes cause superficial infections of skin, hair, and nails affecting an estimated 20-25% of the global population. Traditional diagnosis has relied on culture-based methods that take 1-6 weeks for results. Nucleic acid-based detection (PCR) methods offer faster alternatives with improved sensitivity.

Objective

To evaluate the transition from culture-based methods to PCR-based methods for dermatophyte detection in Northern Finland, assessing the DermaGenius 2.0 commercial real-time PCR assay performance and its clinical impact.

Results

PCR samples increased steadily while culture/microscopy samples decreased; by 2022, 87.6% of samples were examined via PCR. PCR positivity rates were significantly higher than culture (P<0.001) for all years 2019-2022. Turn-around-time decreased from 19 days (culture) to 16 hours (PCR). DermaGenius detected 94.3% of all positive results found by both methods combined.

Conclusion

PCR-based detection has become the preferred diagnostic method for superficial fungal infections in Northern Finland. The DermaGenius assay covers important pathogens, provides rapid results, and helps clinicians avoid unnecessary antifungal treatments. However, culture should still be performed when PCR is negative with strong clinical suspicion of rare pathogens.
  • Published in:Microbiology Spectrum,
  • Study Type:Retrospective Observational Study,
  • Source: PMID: 39287452; DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01049-24
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