Novel B-DNA dermatophyte assay for demonstration of canonical DNA in dermatophytes: Histopathologic characterization by artificial intelligence

Claude E. Gagna, Anthony N. Yodice, Juliana D'Amico, Lina Elkoulily, Shaheryar M. Gill, Francis G. DeOcampo, Maryam Rabbani, Jai Kaur, Aangi Shah, Zainab Ahmad, Muriel W. Lambert, W. Clark Lambert

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe a novel assay and artificial intelligence–driven histopathologic approach identifying dermatophytes in human skin tissue sections (ie, B-DNA dermatophyte assay) and demonstrate, for the first time, the presence of dermatophytes in tissue using immunohistochemistry to detect canonical right-handed double-stranded (ds) B-DNA. Immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-ds-B-DNA monoclonal antibodies with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues to determine the presence of dermatophytes. The B-DNA assay resulted in a more accurate identification of dermatophytes, nuclear morphology, dimensions, and gene expression of dermatophytes (ie, optical density values) than periodic acid–Schiff (PAS), Grocott methenamine silver (GMS), or hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains. The novel assay guided by artificial intelligence allowed for efficient identification of different types of dermatophytes (eg, hyphae, microconidia, macroconidia, and arthroconidia). Using the B-DNA dermatophyte assay as a clinical tool for diagnosing dermatophytes is an alternative to PAS, GMS, and H&E as a fast and inexpensive way to accurately detect dermatophytosis and reduce the number of false negatives. Our assay resulted in superior identification, sensitivity, life cycle stages, and morphology compared to H&E, PAS, and GMS stains. This method detects a specific structural marker (ie, ds-B-DNA), which can assist with diagnosis of dermatophytes. It represents a significant advantage over methods currently in use.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)233-258
Number of pages26
JournalClinics in Dermatology
Volume42
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2024
Externally publishedYes

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