Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and means for determining pathogenic fungi in a sample material, e.g. blood. In the method, the bacterial DNA is initially enriched from the total DNA of the sample material, and then the enriched DNA is amplified with specific primer pairs. Detection of the obtained amplicons allows the accurate identification of bacteria and fungi contained in the sample material and of their resistances. The methods and means of the invention allow an early diagnosis of inflammatory diseases, in particular involving non-detected infection (SIRS), and of infectious diseases such as sepsis, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and endocarditis.