Abstract
Sequence information of 25S rRNA gene was useful for the genotype determination in Candida albicans. Genotypes of 301 C. albicans strains by this single PCR method were determined, and out of them, two strains of new genotype (genotype E) which are closely related to C. dubliniensis in its intron structure were discovered. Analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequence including 5.8S rRNA region in three varieties of C. neoformans was found to be an useful method for genotype determination, and a new genotype (Africa genotype) of var. gattii was discovered. In comparison with other traditional taxonomic methods in pathogenic fungi, usefulness of these genotype determination methods in their epidemiological studies was discussed. New PCR identification systems which were developed based on RAPD band pattern analyses for Histoplasma capsulatum, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Penicillium marneffei were also introduced. These genetic studies lead to a development of new DNA microarray identification method, and their usefulness was discussed.
