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Updated: Jul 26, 2026
Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology
Published on: March 22, 2012
[Fungal nucleic acid detection for invasive aspergillosis]
Abstract:
A universal PCR-assay for the detection of fungal DNA was compared with microscopy and culture for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis using 78 samples from 42 patients. Eighteen patients were suffering from invasive aspergillosis, 5 patients were colonized with Aspergillus in the respiratory tract, 19 patients did not show any sign of aspergillosis. Samples from 6 of the 18 patients with invasive aspergillosis were microscopically positive with true mycelia, 15 of 18 grew Aspergillus in culture, 16 of 18 were PCR-positive. The combination of microscopy and culture led to the diagnosis in 17 of 18 patients, the combination of microscopy and PCR in 16 of 18 and the combination of culture and PCR in all the 18 patients. For 3 of 18 patients, PCR was the diagnostic key: in 2 biopsies the histologically detected fungal elements were identified as Aspergillus, in 3 bronchial lavages from 1 patients nothing but PCR was positive for Aspergillus. Four out of 5 culture positive patients with Aspergillus colonization were also PCR positive; one out of 19 patients without aspergillosis was culture positive, 3 out of 19 were falsely PCR positive. Candida colonization in the upper respiratory tract or Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia did not lead to false positive Aspergillus-PCR results. In conclusion, the evaluated fungal PCR-assay can supplement conventional methods for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis.
Insights
A new fungal DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay aids in diagnosing invasive aspergillosis. This PCR test, when combined with culture, accurately identifies Aspergillus in all patients, supplementing traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Invasive aspergillosis is a serious fungal infection, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
- Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment.
- Current diagnostic methods include microscopy and culture, which have limitations.
Purpose:
- To evaluate a universal fungal DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for diagnosing invasive aspergillosis.
- To compare the diagnostic performance of PCR with microscopy and culture.
- To assess the utility of PCR as a supplementary diagnostic tool.
Summary:
- A universal fungal PCR assay was compared to microscopy and culture for diagnosing invasive aspergillosis in 78 samples from 42 patients.
- PCR detected Aspergillus in 16 of 18 patients with invasive aspergillosis.
- The combination of culture and PCR achieved diagnosis in all 18 patients, with PCR being crucial in 3 cases.
- PCR showed 3 false positives and 4 true positives in non-invasive aspergillosis or colonization cases.
- Other fungal or bacterial infections did not yield false positive Aspergillus PCR results.
Impact:
- The fungal PCR assay demonstrates potential as a valuable addition to conventional diagnostic methods for invasive aspergillosis.
- PCR can improve diagnostic yield, especially in cases where microscopy and culture are negative or inconclusive.
- This molecular approach may lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis, potentially improving patient outcomes.
