Histoplasmosis is a mycotic infection of varying severity, usually localized in the lungs. Caused by Histoplasma capsalatum, infections are usually asymptomatic but can develop into chronic disease, especially in immune compromised individuals. This invention relates to detecting H. capsulatum by PCR using oligonucleotide probes specific for H. capsulatum. Test samples may originate from the environment, where H. capsulatum spores are found or from clinical samples obtained from patients. Furthermore, the invention also provides for methods that detect the presence of H. capsulatum in a sample using a nested, or two-stage, PCR assay.   

Inventors: Millie Schafer and Thomas Reid

CDC Reference Number: I-006-97/0

USPTO Serial Number: 09/700,155

Patent Number: 6,469,156