Abstract: Candida albicans is an opportunitsic pathogenic fungus causing local and systemic disease, the mortality has been increasing dramatically. Early detection and management of candidiasis are crueaal, but conventional methods of diagnosis need long time and have low positivity. The authors used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a fragment of fungal DNA coding for the cytochroma P450 L₁AI of C.albirans in vitro. The technique provides unambiguous evidence of C. albicans in 7 hours with, a detection as low as 30 organisms. 22 clinical specimens were callectsd from 15 patients, in each case the result of PCR was confirmed by mycological method. PCR based detection of pathogenic organisms may have broad application in rapid screening for the presence of organisms, and provides rapid and sensitivt methnd for diagnosis.

Key words: Candida albicans, Polymerase chain, reaction