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Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology
Published on: March 22, 2012
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Current and Future Pathways in Aspergillus Diagnosis
Radim Dobiáš1,2, David A Stevens3,4, Vladimír Havlíček5,6
1Department of Bacteriology and Mycology, Public Health Institute in Ostrava, Partyzánské Náměstí 2633/7, 702 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic.
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 25, 2023
Summary
Diagnosing invasive aspergillosis requires fungal biomarkers. This review highlights the advantages of detecting fungal products in body fluids over antibody tests, focusing on key biomarkers like beta-D-glucan and galactomannan.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Aspergillus fumigatus is a critical priority fungal pathogen identified by the WHO.
- Current diagnostics for aspergillosis often utilize fungal metabolites, including intracellular molecules, cell wall components, and extracellular secretomes.
- Limitations exist in antibody-based diagnostic tests for aspergillosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the shortcomings of antibody tests for aspergillosis diagnosis.
- To highlight the utility of fungal product detection in body fluids.
- To discuss emerging diagnostic approaches for Aspergillus infections.
Main Methods:
- Literature review summarizing current diagnostic strategies for aspergillosis.
- Comparative analysis of antibody tests versus fungal biomarker detection.
- Discussion of specific biomarkers such as beta-D-glucan, galactomannan, and pentraxin 3.
- Exploration of nucleic acid detection, next-generation sequencing, and Aspergillus metallophores.
Main Results:
- Tests detecting fungal products in body fluids show advantages over antibody tests for diagnosing aspergillosis.
- Beta-D-glucan, galactomannan, and pentraxin 3 are highlighted for their application in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids.
- Nucleic acid detection and next-generation sequencing offer promising avenues for improved diagnostics.
- Emerging research on Aspergillus metallophores presents new diagnostic possibilities.
Conclusions:
- Biomarker-based diagnostics targeting fungal products in body fluids are superior to antibody tests for aspergillosis.
- Further research into nucleic acid-based methods and novel biomarkers like metallophores is warranted.
- Improved diagnostic tools are crucial for managing Aspergillus infections, a critical priority pathogen.
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