The numbers of patients at risk of invasive fungal disease (IFD) increases annually, leaving millions of patients at risk of devastating infection. The diagnosis of IFD remains difficult using conventional methods, and IFD diagnosis has been driven forward through the detection of fungal specific biomarkers, including the detection of fungal DNA.

In clinical samples, the concentration of fungal DNA can be very limited, close to the limits of real-time PCR detection and often outside the range of linear amplification, negatively impacting on both sensitivity and accurate quantification. Subsequently, the processing of large sample volumes combined with minimal elution volumes is often employed to improve the chances of detection, but can lead to PCR inhibition.

Digital PCR, where the PCR reaction is separated in to thousands of individual PCR reactions (partitions) has the potential to improve the detection of low DNA concentrations, while providing accurate quantification and minimizing the opportunity for inhibition.

The new generation QIAGEN QIAcuity platform employs a process in line with real-time PCR set-up and permits the convenient transition of existing real-time PCR assays. Given these benefits, the QIAGEN QIAcuity is ideally placed to overcome the limitations of real-time PCR for the detection of fungal DNA. In this webinar, data on the performance of the QIAGEN QIAcuity platform when running real-time PCR assays for detection of Aspergillus and Pneumocystis DNA will be presented, along with recommendations to improve the interpretation of results. 

Disclaimer: The QIAcuity is intended for molecular biology applications. This product is not intended for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of a disease. Therefore, the performance characteristics of the product for clinical use (i.e., diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic or blood banking) is unknown.