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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, September 2006, p. 3381-3383, Vol. 44, No. 9
0095-1137/06/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.00751-06
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Peptide Nucleic Acid Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization-Based Identification of Candida albicans and Its Impact on Mortality and Antifungal Therapy Costs

University of Maryland School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Baltimore, Maryland 21201,¹ University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, Maryland 21201,² University of Maryland Medical Center, Department of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland 21201,³ University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Baltimore, Maryland 21201⁴

Received 8 April 2006/ Returned for modification 2 June 2006/ Accepted 6 July 2006

The impact of rapid identification of Candida albicans blood isolates by peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA FISH) on the selection and expenditure of antifungal therapy was evaluated. PNA FISH was 100% sensitive and specific in the rapid identification of 31 out of 72 candidemias as C. albicans and resulted in a significant reduction of caspofungin usage, with an overall cost savings of $1,729 per patient.

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