Assessment of DNA fingerprinting for rapid identification of outbreaks of systemic candidiasis.

DNA fingerprinting was assessed as an improved typing system for Candida albicans aimed at speeding the implementation of cross infection control measures in outbreaks of systemic candidiasis. The study was carried out with 45 previously characterised isolates from five different outbreaks and with 96 unrelated isolates from a mixed control population. Sixteen different genotypes were produced. Results were obtainable within days, reproducibility was high, and there was good discrimination among different outbreaks. Compared with existing typing systems DNA fingerprinting provides a robust system that may be used rapidly to identify outbreaks of nosocomial candidiasis in laboratories with no specialist skill in typing C albicans.