PCR for detection of dermatophytes has been widely
employed targeting the nontranscribed spacer (NTS) regions,
metalloprotease gene.10 Chitin synthase (CHS) gene,11 tubulin
gene, promoter region within ribosomal intergenic spacer, transcription
elongation factor 1, actin gene and calmodulin gene.12
2. Aim of the work
This study aimed to compare realtime PCR using novel primers
targeting the pan-dermatophyte-specific sequence of the
chitin synthase 1 gene (CHS1) with nested PCR targeting the
same gene, KOH microscopy in relation to culture for diagnosis
of clinically suspected onychomycosis.