Peptide nucleic acid probe (PNA), kit and method for detection of Aspergillus fumigatus and applications thereof

Abstract

The present invention refers to the development of a Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) probes for the detection and discrimination of Aspergillus fumigatus in different types of samples. These probes are combined with Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), which allows analysis of diverse clinical samples, such as blood, serum, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and biopsies. The combination of these two technologies rendered the FISH procedure faster, simpler and more efficient. The present invention also includes the development of a kit and methods of detection for the Aspergillus fumigatus identification in clinical samples.