RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Development of a Nested PCR for Detection ofCryptococcus neoformans in Cerebrospinal Fluid JF Journal of Clinical Microbiology JO J. Clin. Microbiol. FD American Society for Microbiology SP 3438 OP 3440 VO 36 IS 11 A1 Rappelli, Paola A1 Are, Riccardo A1 Casu, Giuseppe A1 Fiori, Pier Luigi A1 Cappuccinelli, Piero A1 Aceti, Antonio YR 1998 UL http://jcm.asm.org/content/36/11/3438.abstract AB We report the development of a nested-PCR-based assay for the detection of Cryptococcus neoformans in cerebrospinal fluid. The specificity and sensitivity of the test were assessed. The technique was then applied to 40 cerebrospinal fluid samples. We obtained positive reactions for all 21 clinical samples from patients who had been previously diagnosed as having cryptococcal meningitis by conventional techniques and negative reactions for all 19 negative controls. Nested PCR is here compared with other diagnostic methods currently used in patients’ follow-up exams during anticryptococcal therapy.