Identification of Sporothrix schenckii based on sequences of the chitin synthase 1 gene.

Sporothrix schenckii is pathogenic to human and animals. To detect S. schenckii in the tissue, we designed specific oligonucleotide primers based on the chitin synthase gene. Amplification products were selectively obtained from S. schenckii DNA. Polymerase chain reaction analysis with the primer pair S2-R2 was able to detect 10 pg genomic DNA of S. schenckii with ethidium bromide staining. This detection system will be useful as a microbiological tool for the diagnosis of human and animal sporotrichosis.