Highly sensitive detection of fungal antigens by ultrasound-enhanced latex agglutination.
Treatment with ultrasound has been employed to greatly enhance the sensitivity of commercially available latex agglutination tests for fungal antigens. This 5 min procedure detects 40 pg ml-1 of Candida albicans mannan and 70 pg ml-1 of Aspergillus fumigatus galactomannan, a 250 and 500-fold improvement respectively over conventional agglutination test sensitivities. The ultrasound-enhanced test offers the possibility of improved diagnosis and management of patients with systemical candidosis or invasive aspergillosis.
Grundy
M A
MA
School of Pure and Applied Biology, University of Wales College of Cardiff, UK.
Barnes
R A
RA
Coakley
W T
WT
D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000276:immunology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology*; D005690:Galactose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D008351:Mannans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014465:Ultrasonics
D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D008351:Mannans; C012990:galactomannan; D005690:Galactose