TABLE 2.
Comparison of identification rate by conventional culture methods and PCR-DM method for 106 nail specimensa
| Conventional culture method finding | No. (%) identified |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| PCR-DM method |
Total | ||
| Determined | Undetermined | ||
| Determined | 36 | 0 | 36 (34) |
| Undetermined | 62 | 8b | 70c (66) |
| Total | 98 (92) | 8 (8) | 106 (100) |
a
Up to 10 pieces of nails were taken from each patient. All 106 specimens were microscopically positive for fungus elements.
b
The eight specimens include five that were PCR negative and three that had no species-specific hybridization.
c
The 70 specimens include 5 with suspected contaminations with a filamentous fungus, 5 with bacteria, and 60 culture negative.