Abstract
Purpureocillium lilacinum is an opportunistic pathogenic fungus associated with endophthalmitis and keratitis. Previously, we isolated the strain P. lilacinum IFM 63780, notable for its high resistance to polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride (PHMB), a common disinfectant and antiseptic used in dermatology and ophthalmology. In this study, we assessed the drug resistance profiles within the genus Purpureocillium. The minimum inhibitory concentration of PHMB for P. lilacinum and Purpureocillium takamizusanense was significantly higher compared to other species, while susceptibilities to other antibiotics and antifungal agents were consistent across all species. We developed species-specific primers for identifying P. lilacinum (PlF/R) and P. takamizusanense (PtF/R) by targeting the β-tubulin gene. These primers effectively amplified species-specific sequences, even when used in mixed primer pairs for the multiplex PCR, and did not cross-react with other species. This rapid and straightforward method provides a highly specific and reliable approach for detecting P. lilacinum and P. takamizusanense.
