Rapid characterisation and detection of Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus from environmental air samples
Aspergillus causes life-threatening infections in certain at-risk patient populations, and is linked to millions of asthma or other allergic syndromes each year. Though there is fair understanding of Aspergillus detection from clinical specimens, little has been published on detection of airborne...
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Format: | Final Year Project |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2017
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Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10356/72625 |
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Institution: | Nanyang Technological University |
Language: | English |
Summary: | Aspergillus causes life-threatening infections in certain at-risk patient populations, and is linked to
millions of asthma or other allergic syndromes each year. Though there is fair understanding of
Aspergillus detection from clinical specimens, little has been published on detection of airborne
Aspergillus to assess risk of exposure from spores in Singapore’s urban indoor environment.
Furthermore, while Polymerase Chain Reaction techniques have proven high sensitivity and specificity
over culture-based methods for detecting Aspergillus, they lack global standardisation and hence are not
routinely used clinically. When used, traditional methods such as conventional or Real-Time PCR (RTPCR)
take up to hours to detect presence of Aspergillus, potentially delaying diagnosis or treatment.
As such, this paper’s objective is “rapid characterisation and detection of Aspergillus fumigatus and
Aspergillus flavus from environmental samples”.
This paper has succeeded in using conventional PCR and RT-PCR to detect and identify Aspergillus
fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus from environmental air samples of significance to Singaporean
students, working and laboratory personnel. Samples were identified successfully both at genus and
species level, analysed using gel electrophoresis and melt curves.
We have also successfully developed Fast PCR equipment and techniques to amplify Aspergillus in
under 10 minutes. Detection is complemented by gel electrophoresis and fluorescence comparisons preand
post-Fast PCR. With further development, this new technology can prospectively be used for rapid
Aspergillus detection in clinical specimens for point-of-care diagnostics, aiding diagnosis and treatment
in a bid to reduce Aspergillus-related mortality and morbidity. |
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