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Serum galactomannan in cystic fibrosis patients colonized with Aspergillus species

Thomas A Warren1, Yvonne Yau, Felix Ratjen

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Medical Mycology
|April 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Galactomannan testing in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients did not detect the biomarker in any serum samples. This finding was consistent across CF patients with varying levels of Aspergillus colonization.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Pulmonology
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • * Aspergillus species are common colonizers in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.
  • * Early detection of Aspergillus infection in CF is crucial for management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To investigate the utility of serum galactomannan as a biomarker for Aspergillus colonization or infection in CF patients.
  • * To assess if galactomannan levels differ based on the extent of Aspergillus colonization (chronic, intermittent, never).

Main Methods:

  • * Sera from 138 pediatric and adult CF patients were analyzed.
  • * Galactomannan antigen testing was performed on all serum samples.

Main Results:

  • * All 138 serum samples tested negative for galactomannan.
  • * No significant difference in galactomannan levels was observed among CF patients with chronic, intermittent, or no Aspergillus colonization.

Conclusions:

  • * Serum galactomannan is not a reliable biomarker for detecting Aspergillus colonization or infection in this cohort of CF patients.
  • * Further research may be needed to identify sensitive biomarkers for Aspergillus in CF lung disease.

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