Molecular Detection of <i>Aspergillus</i> in Sputum of Patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections.

BACKGROUND: Raised incidences of respiratory tract infections due to fungal agents in immunocompetent individuals are a cause of concern due to the unavailability of rapid diagnostic methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: by conventional methods and further subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genus-specific ITS 4-5 primers. RESULTS: s in 28% sputum samples, which was high as compared to conventional methods. CONCLUSION: colonization in patients with LRTI, which can prevent irreversible damage in their lungs by fungal invasion.