Nucleic Acid Detection of the Fungal Pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum from Clinical and Environmental Samples

This invention relates to detecting Histoplasma capsulatum by PCR using oligonucleotide probes specific for the fungus. Histoplasmosis is a mycotic infection of varying severity, usually localized in the lungs. Caused by H. capsulatum, infections are usually symptomatic but can develop into chronic disease, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Test samples may originate from the environment (soil, for example), where H. capsulatum spores are found or from clinical samples obtained from patients. Furthermore, the invention also provides for methods that detect the presence of H. capsulatum in a sample using a nested, or two-stage, PCR assay.

Potential Commercial Applications:		Competitive Advantages:
Directing antifungal drug therapy for improved patient outcomes Occupational health and safety screening for workers who may encounter bird or bat waste Screening biological or soil samples for the presence of fungal pathogens Environment testing for immunocompromised patients		Rapid and precise Cost-effective Easily adapted for H. capsulatum detection kits Can positively identify small sample sizes of as few as 10 spores High-throughput capable

Development Stage:
In vitro data available

Related Invention(s):
E-232-2013-0
E-293-2013-0
E-332-2013-0
E-335-2013-0


Inventors:

Thomas Reid (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...

Millie Schafer (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...


Intellectual Property:
U.S. Pat: 6,469,156 issued 2002-10-22
PCT Application No. PCT/US1999/008731
US Application No. 09/673,298

Publications:
Reid TM, Schafer MP. PMID 10441199
CDC Fact Sheet: Histoplasmosis https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-109/pdfs/2005-109FS.pdf

Licensing Contact:
Karen Surabian, J.D., M.B.A.
Email: karen.surabian@nih.gov
Phone: 301-594-9719

OTT Reference No: E-313-2013-0
Updated: May 7, 2018