Detection of Yeasts in Blood Cultures by the Luminex xTAG Fungal Assay

Abstract

ABSTRACT A multiplex-PCR Luminex xMAP bead probe fluid array using xTAG analyte-specific reagents (multiplex xTAG fungal ASR assay) was employed for detection of clinically significant Candida species, Cryptococcus neoformans , Histoplasma capsulatum , and Blastomyces dermatitidis from blood cultures. We tested 132 blood cultures negative ( n = 10) or positive ( n = 97) for yeasts and/or bacteria ( n = 25). The assay showed sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 99%, respectively. The xTAG fungal ASR assay is a rapid assay that allows simultaneous identification of multiple yeast species.