Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Molecular Diagnosis of Cutaneous Infections in Dermatopathology

MOLECULAR DERMATOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY

Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Molecular Diagnosis of Cutaneous Infections in Dermatopathology

Dec
2012
Vol. 31. No. 4
Brian L. Swick, MD

Conventional methods, including microscopy, culture, and serologic studies, are a mainstay in
the diagnosis of cutaneous infection. However, owing to limitations associated with these
techniques, such as low sensitivity for standard microscopy and in the case of culture delay in
diagnosis, polymerase chain-reaction based molecular techniques have taken on an expanding
role in the diagnosis of infectious processes in dermatopathology. In particular, these assays
are a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis, atypical mycobacterial infection,
leprosy, Lyme disease, syphilis, rickettsioses, leishmaniasis, and some fungal and viral
infections. Already in the case of tuberculosis and atypical mycobacterial infection, standardized
polymerase chain-reaction assays are commonly used for diagnostic purposes. With time,
additional molecular-based techniques will decrease in cost and gain increased standardization,
thus delivering rapid diagnostic confirmation for many difficult-to-diagnose cutaneous
infections from standard formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 31:241-246 © 2012 Frontline Medical Communications

PURCHASE NOW