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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology
Published on: March 22, 2012
Serum precipitins in pulmonary aspergillosis: preliminary results
S Charoenratanakul1, A Chaiprasert, C Voramist
1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Abstract:
Definitive diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis is difficult to establish. Thus, confirmative evidence of active fungal aggression is imperative. In this study, an immunodiffusion test was carried out on 36 cases of pulmonary aspergillosis and two groups of subjects comprising 133 patients with non-fungal diseases and 134 healthy volunteers as controls. The test was positive in 92.3% of the patients with mycetoma, in 50% of the patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and in 25% of the patients with invasive aspergillosis. Results were negative in all subjects in the two control groups. The findings indicate the efficacy of the test under study for supporting the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis.
Insights
An immunodiffusion test aids in diagnosing pulmonary aspergillosis. This fungal infection test showed high accuracy in mycetoma cases and was negative in healthy controls.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Definitive diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis remains challenging.
- Confirmative evidence of active fungal infection is crucial for effective treatment.
- Pulmonary aspergillosis encompasses various forms, including mycetoma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and invasive aspergillosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of an immunodiffusion test in supporting the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis.
- To assess the test's performance across different clinical presentations of fungal lung infections.
Main Methods:
- An immunodiffusion test was performed on 36 patients diagnosed with pulmonary aspergillosis.
- Control groups included 133 patients with non-fungal diseases and 134 healthy volunteers.
- The test's positivity rate was analyzed for different types of pulmonary aspergillosis.
Main Results:
- The immunodiffusion test yielded positive results in 92.3% of mycetoma cases.
- Positive results were observed in 50% of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis cases.
- The test was positive in 25% of invasive aspergillosis cases and negative in all control subjects.
Conclusions:
- The immunodiffusion test demonstrates significant efficacy in supporting the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis.
- The test's performance varies depending on the specific clinical form of the fungal infection.
- This diagnostic tool can help differentiate fungal lung infections from other conditions.
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