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Comparison between PCR and detection of antigen in sera for diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis
S Kawamura1, S Maesaki, T Noda
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan.
Abstract:
We evaluated the usefulness of PCR and antigen detection for the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis. Forty-four serum samples from patients with pulmonary aspergillosis (33 with pulmonary aspergilloma, 4 with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, 4 with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, and 3 with aspergillus pyothorax) were used in this study. PCR detection of Aspergillus DNA in serum samples was successful in 39 patients. Galactomannan antigen was detected by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 25 patients and by latex agglutination test in 13 patients. Detection of Aspergillus DNA in serum samples by nested PCR had the highest sensitivity of the three methods tested for the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis.
Insights
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antigen tests aid in diagnosing pulmonary aspergillosis. Nested PCR demonstrated the highest sensitivity for detecting Aspergillus DNA in patient serum samples, improving diagnostic accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Diagnostic Microbiology
Background:
- Pulmonary aspergillosis encompasses various conditions, including aspergilloma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, and aspergillus pyothorax.
- Accurate and timely diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis is crucial for effective patient management and treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antigen detection methods for pulmonary aspergillosis.
- To compare the sensitivity of PCR and antigen detection assays in identifying Aspergillus infection in serum samples.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 44 serum samples from patients diagnosed with different forms of pulmonary aspergillosis.
- Detection of Aspergillus DNA using nested PCR.
- Quantification of galactomannan antigen using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and latex agglutination test (LAT).
Main Results:
- Aspergillus DNA was successfully detected by nested PCR in 39 out of 44 patients.
- Galactomannan antigen was detected by ELISA in 25 patients and by LAT in 13 patients.
- Nested PCR exhibited the highest sensitivity among the evaluated diagnostic methods for pulmonary aspergillosis.
Conclusions:
- Nested PCR for Aspergillus DNA detection in serum offers superior sensitivity for diagnosing pulmonary aspergillosis compared to galactomannan antigen assays.
- Molecular diagnostic methods like nested PCR represent a valuable tool for improving the early and accurate diagnosis of invasive fungal infections.
