Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
08:01
Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology
Published on: March 22, 2012
Evaluation of Aspergillus PCR protocols for testing serum specimens.
P Lewis White1, Carlo Mengoli, Stéphane Bretagne
1PHW Microbiology Cardiff, UK. lewis.white@nphs.wales.nhs.uk
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|September 24, 2011
Summary
Most Aspergillus PCR protocols show good analytical performance for detecting fungal DNA in serum. Key factors like sample volume and target region influence sensitivity, guiding improvements for better diagnostic accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is crucial for detecting Aspergillus fumigatus DNA in clinical samples.
- Standardization of PCR methods is essential for reliable diagnostic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the analytical performance of various Aspergillus PCR protocols used in clinical laboratories.
- To identify procedural factors affecting PCR sensitivity and specificity.
Main Methods:
- A panel of human serum samples spiked with Aspergillus fumigatus DNA was distributed to 23 European centers.
- Meta-regression analysis was used to correlate methodological components with PCR performance data.
Main Results:
- 97% of protocols detected a threshold of 10 genomes/ml, with 83% achieving reproducible detection.
- Overall sensitivity was 86.1% and specificity was 93.6%.
- Larger sample volumes, internal controls, and targeting the ITS region positively correlated with sensitivity; larger elution volumes and mitochondrial targets showed negative associations.
Conclusions:
- Most Aspergillus PCR protocols for serum testing demonstrate satisfactory analytical performance.
- Specific procedural factors can be optimized to enhance diagnostic accuracy, with recommendations provided for improved standardization.
