Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 27, 2026
Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology
Published on: March 22, 2012
Lateral Flow Assays for the Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis: Current Status
Sven Heldt1, Martin Hoenigl1,2,3,4
1Division of Pulmonology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Purpose Of Review:
Diagnosis during early stages of invasive aspergillosis (IA) and targeted antifungal treatment has the potential to improve survival significantly. Despite advances in the diagnostic arsenal, invasive mold infections remain difficult to diagnose-especially at early stages before typical radiological signs develop. Varying availability and time-to-results are important limitations of current approved biomarkers and molecular assays for diagnosis of IA. Here, we will give an update on the Aspergillus-specific lateral-flow device (LFD) test. We further review promising findings on feasibility of point-of-care (POC) detection of urinary excreted fungal galactomannan-like antigens.
Recent Findings:
POC LFD assays for detection of Aspergillus antigens are currently in development. The Aspergillus-specific LFD test, which is based on the JF5 antibody (Ab), detects an extracellular glycoprotein antigen secreted during active growth of Aspergillus spp. The test has shown promising results in various studies. In addition, a monoclonal Ab476-based LFD for POC detection of urinary excreted fungal galactomannan-like antigens has been developed but needs further validation.
Summary:
Important advances have been made in the development of LFD assays for IA. Most promising is the Aspergillus-specific LFD test; commercial availability is still pending, however. The search for reliable POC tests for other molds, including mucorales, continues.
Insights
New lateral-flow device (LFD) tests show promise for early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA). These point-of-care (POC) tests could improve patient outcomes by enabling faster, targeted antifungal treatment.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biomarker Development
Background:
- Invasive aspergillosis (IA) diagnosis is challenging, especially in early stages, hindering timely treatment and impacting survival rates.
- Current diagnostic methods for IA have limitations including availability and time-to-result, necessitating improved diagnostic tools.
- Early detection of IA is crucial for effective, targeted antifungal therapy and improved patient prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an update on the development and potential of an Aspergillus-specific lateral-flow device (LFD) test for diagnosing IA.
- To review findings on the feasibility of point-of-care (POC) detection of urinary fungal antigens for IA diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of current advancements in Aspergillus-specific lateral-flow device (LFD) technology.
- Evaluation of promising findings regarding POC detection of urinary galactomannan-like antigens using LFD assays.
Main Results:
- Development of POC LFD assays for Aspergillus antigen detection is ongoing.
- The Aspergillus-specific LFD test, utilizing the JF5 antibody, detects extracellular glycoprotein antigens from Aspergillus spp. during active growth, showing promising study results.
- A separate monoclonal antibody (Ab476)-based LFD for urinary antigen detection has been developed but requires further validation.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress has been made in developing LFD assays for invasive aspergillosis (IA).
- The Aspergillus-specific LFD test is highly promising, though commercial availability is pending.
- Research continues for reliable POC tests for other molds, such as mucorales.
