Background: Polymerase chain reacation (PCR)-based methods have been described for rapid detection and identification of Candida spp. Multiplex PCR assay was developed using internal transcribed spacers and topoisomerase II gene for the accurate identification of Candida species.

Methods: We designed Dual Specificity Oligo (DSO) primers for multiplex PCR. Multiplex PCR was followed by agarose gel electrophoresis to test 8 type strains (C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. guilliermondii, C. lusitaniae, C. dubliniensis) and 96 clinical isolates (C. albicans 51 isolates, C. parapsilosis 10 isolates, C. glabrata 10 isolates, C. tropicalis 9 isolates, C. krusei 6 isolates, C. guilliermondii 5 isolates, C. lusitaniae 5 isolates) of Candida spp.

Results: With multiplex PCR using DSO primers, the eight Candida type strains each could be easily differentiated and all 96 clinical isolates were identified as the same species as were identified by the conventional method.

Conclusion: Multiplex PCR followed by electrophoresis can be useful for the simple and rapid identification of Candida species in routine laboratories. (Korean J Clin Microbiol 2006;9(2):119-124)