Mission Statement
The EAPCRI changed its name to the Fungal PCR initiative to allow it to start evaluating and standardize PCR testing of Candida, Pneumocystis, Mucorales species and fungal infection specifically within tissue, while also progressing on the existing work of the Aspergillus group. The overall structure of each specific PCR working group remains a partnership between clinical and laboratory working parties, each supported by the statistical working party, with the overall direction still maintained by the steering committee. It is hoped that Working Group will succeed in its aims and ambitions.
Achievements of the working group in 2023
- Joining of Cristina Mazzi (IRCCS Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria , Italy) as the new FPCRI Biostatistician (replacing C. Mengoli).
- Submission / currently review of the manuscript “Interlaboratory assays from the Fungal PCR Initiative and the Modimucor study group to improve qPCR detection of Mucorales DNA in serum: one more step towards standardization”, Rocchi et al., J Clin Microbiol.
- FPCRI convened a plenary meeting during the “Trends in Medical Mycology” meeting, TIMM 2023 (20 – 23 October 2023, Athens).
- FPCRI held a designated session representing all 10 Working Parties as part of the programme at TIMM 2023 (20 – 23 October 2023, Athens).
- Strategic planning for the next two years.
- Re-Initiation of our FPCRI – QCMD (Glasgow) collaboration.
- Continued activities throughout all Working Parties, including Aspergillus (Aspergillus PCR in BAL, clinical trials), Candida (development, shipment and data analysis of specificity panel, initiation of a systematic review of Candida PCR), Mucorales (data analysis of DNA panel in collaboration with ModiMucor, initiation of a systematic review of Mucorales PCR), Pneumocystis (comparative analyses with commercial PCR products, completion of PCP PCR systematic review and meta-analysis), tissue (data analysis of first panel and design of further panel).
Upcoming events planned for 2024-2025
- FPCRI Symposium „The role of PCR for the laboratory diagnosis of invasive fungal diseases“ at ISHAM 2025 Iguaçu Falls-Brazil May 20-24, 2025 (with the active participation of the FPCRI members L. White, A. Alanio, L. Millon, R. Gorton).
- FPCRI Session at TIMM 2025 Bilbao, Spain 19 – 22 September 2025.
Publications arising from the Working Group
Brown et al., “PCR on respiratory tract specimens of immunocompromised patients to diagnose Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP): A systematic review and meta-analysis”, Clin Infect Dis 2024, doi/10.1093/cid/ciae239/7689018
Cruciani et al., “An overview of systematic reviews of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised people: A report of the Fungal PCR Initiative (FPCRI)-An ISHAM Working Group”, J Fungi, 2023, 9: 967.
Funding provided by ISHAM in the past 3 years
January 2023: 10,000 CHF
February 2024: 10,000 CHF
