National production of certified reference fungal cultures / Producción nacional de cultivos fúngicos de referencia certificados

Reference fungal cultures (RFCs) are essential for the internal quality control of laboratories. The production of these cultures requires standardized procedures (IRAM 14950:2016 and ISO 17034:2016 standards) carried out by a recognized and accredited laboratory. The aim of this work was to produce RFC in paper disks of autochthonous strains, characterized by two, homogeneous and stable reference methods traceable at species level. RFC were produced using 14 regional species (7 yeasts and 7 filamentous fungi) from the fungal culture collection (DMic). Paper disks were impregnated with a culture suspension, dried and packed. Homogeneity, viability, identity and purity were verified. Short-and long-term stability at different temperatures and storage times were studied. Characterization of each strain allowed to confirm its identity and to ensure its traceability at international level. Produced batches were homogeneous and stable at -20 ±5 °C for 30 months. This method of production was adequate to produce homogeneous and stable RFC with phenotypic and genotypic characteristics correctly defined and internationally traceable. Standardized procedures were developed for the production of certified RFC that could be transferred to other microorganisms. Providing RFC that represent regional strains allows laboratories to produce more reliable results with a favorable impact on medical diagnosis, the environment or the food industry.

Los cultivos microbianos de referencia (CR) son imprescindibles para el control de calidad interno de los laboratorios. Asegurar su producción requiere de procedimientos estandarizados (IRAM 14950:2016 e ISO 17034:2016) realizados en un laboratorio reconocido y acreditado. El objetivo de este estudio fue producir cultivos fúngicos de referencia en discos de papel, a partir de un panel de cultivos autóctonos caracterizados por dos métodos de referencia, trazables a nivel taxonómico de especie, homogéneos y estables. Se produjeron CR de 14 especies circulantes en Argentina (7 de levaduras y 7 de hongos miceliales), depositadas en la colección de hongos de interés médico (DMic). Los discos de papel fueron embebidos con una suspensión del cultivo por producir, secados y envasados. Se verificó la homogeneidad, viabilidad, identidad y pureza de cada lote. Se evaluó la estabilidad a corto y largo plazo a distintas temperaturas y tiempos de almacenamiento. La caracterización de cada CR nos permitió confirmar su identidad y asegurar su trazabilidad a nivel internacional. Los lotes producidos fueron homogéneos y estables durante 30 meses conservados a -20 ±5 °C. Este método resultó adecuado para producir CR homogéneos y estables, con características fenotípicas y genotípicas correctamente definidas y trazables a nivel internacional. Los procedimientos estandarizados desarrollados en este trabajo pueden ser transferidos para producir CR certificados de otros microorganismos. La provisión de CR que represente cepas regionales permite a los laboratorios producir resultados más confiables con un impacto favorable en el diagnóstico médico, los estudios ambientales y la industria alimenticia.

Evaluation of a fungal collection as certified reference material producer and as a biological resource center

Abstract Considering the absence of standards for culture collections and more specifically for biological resource centers in the world, in addition to the absence of certified biological material in Brazil, this study aimed to evaluate a Fungal Collection from Fiocruz, as a producer of certified reference material and as Biological Resource Center (BRC). For this evaluation, a checklist based on the requirements of ABNT ISO GUIA34:2012 correlated with the ABNT NBR ISO/IEC17025:2005, was designed and applied. Complementing the implementation of the checklist, an internal audit was performed. An evaluation of this Collection as a BRC was also conducted following the requirements of the NIT-DICLA-061, the Brazilian internal standard from Inmetro, based on ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 17025:2005, ABNT ISO GUIA 34:2012 and OECD Best Practice Guidelines for BRCs. This was the first time that the NIT DICLA-061 was applied in a culture collection during an internal audit. The assessments enabled the proposal for the adequacy of this Collection to assure the implementation of the management system for their future accreditation by Inmetro as a certified reference material producer as well as its future accreditation as a Biological Resource Center according to the NIT-DICLA-061.

Standardization of fungal polymerase chain reaction for the early diagnosis of invasive fungal infection.

Background: An early initiation of antifungal therapy in invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is critical in reducing the high mortality rate. Current diagnosis of fungal infection relies on microscopy, culture, antigen, antibody specific tests and histological diagnosis. However, these tests either lack sensitivity or specificity. There is thus the need for a rapid, specific and accurate diagnostic method. Objective: The aim of our study was to establish PCR for the rapid detection of Candida and Aspergillus species in clinical specimens with improved sensitivity and specificity. Materials and Methods: A total of 71 proven cases of IFI (confirmed by culture) were collected. A total of 15 healthy, 15 patients suffering from bacterial sepsis and 15 patients with HIV, HBV viral infections were included as controls. Clinical specimens were subjected to a standardized nested amplification to produce Round I (504 bp) and Round II (150 bp) amplicons. Restriction digestion was performed on these products for further identification. Results: Analytical sensitivity was determined using 10 6 -10 CFU/ml of cell suspension. The lower detection limit of the assay was 10 CFU/ml of blood. This test was 100% sensitive and specific with a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 96.7%. Conclusion: The assay was found to be effective for the rapid detection of Candida and Aspergillus in clinical specimens.

Evaluación de la calidad del diagnóstico micológico: cultivos / Quality assessment of the mycological diagnosis: cultures

Se evaluó la capacidad de los laboratorios participantes del Sub Programa Micología para identificar diferentes cepas de hongos al nivel de género o especie. Tomados los resultados en conjunto, el 66% de los laboratorios identificó en forma correcta las cepas, mientras que otro 25% lo hizo en forma parcial. En el caso de los dermatofitos hubo un mayor porcentaje de respuestas correctas para el reconocimiento de Trichophyton mentagrophytes (76%) respecto de las especies de Microsporum evaluadas: M. canis (66%) y M. gypseum (65%). Los resultados de la identificación de las especies de levaduras mostraron dos grupos diferentes: uno conformado por Candida albicans y Cryptococcus neoformans, con elevados porcentajes de respuestas correctas (87 y 95%, respectivamente) y otro por C. tropicalis y C. glabrata, que ocasionó dificultades para su correcta identificación (sólo 28 y 32% de respuestas correctas). Las especies de Aspergillus evaluadas (A. fumigatus y A. niger) fueron reconocidas en forma correcta por el 63 y 72% de los participantes. Los resultados obtenidos, si bien son considerados como aceptables, evidencian la necesidad de mejorar la capacidad evaluada, teniendo en cuenta su influencia decisiva sobre la calidad del diagnóstico micológico.

The ability to identify different fungal strains at genera or specie level for participant laboratories of the Mycology Sub-Program, was evaluated. Taking into account all results as a whole, 66% of laboratories identified the strains correctly, while another 25% recognized the strains partially. Regarding dermatophytes, a higher percentage of correct responses for Trichophyton mentagrophytes recognition was observed with respect to (76%) those of the evaluated Microsporum species: M. canis (66%) and M. gypseum (65%). The results produced by the identification of yeasts species showed 2 different groups: one constituted by Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, with higher percentages of correct responses (87 and 95%, respectively) and another one constituted by C. tropicalis and C. glabrata, which presented difficulties for their correct identification (28 and 32% correct responses). The evaluated species of Aspergillus (A. fumigatus and A. niger) were recognized by 63% and 72% of the participants. The results obtained, considered as acceptable, show the need to improve the evaluated capacity, taking into account their decisive influence on mycologic diagnosis quality.