Tests and Database for Fungal Diseases

New database software and associated test kits are designed to simplify and improve the identification and characterization of filamentous fungi (FF). According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (Atlanta, GA), deaths from fungal infections have increased 200% since 1980.

The FF tests, developed by Biolog, Inc. (Hayward, CA, USA), use the company's biochemical fingerprinting method in a microplate test format. When an organism is introduced to preselected carbon sources in the microplate, it produces a characteristic pattern. The database software includes a library of microscopic and macroscopic digital photographs of species in the database. These can be automatically reviewed as part of each test to verify identifications with morphologic criteria. Identifications are performed on the Biolog MicroStation, which allows the user to build custom databases.

The FF products were originally designed for identification of fungal genera important in environmental monitoring, food spoilage, and agriculture. Fungal diseases have been a leading cause of crop failure and agricultural losses for years. Biolog's database includes strains from over 90 genera. The company has also developed similar databases for bacteria and yeast identification.

"Even experts can often disagree about species-level identifications,” noted Brian Sunkel, marketing manager of microbiology, Biolog. "With our new FF products, the laboratory can obtain more rapid and accurate results compared to traditional methods.”




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