Study on invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients to present a suitable early diagnostic procedure.
OBJECTIVE
The incidence of invasive fungal infections has increased considerably in recent years. The aim of this study was to present a suitable early diagnostic procedure in immunocompromised patients, using a molecular assay.


METHODS
From September 2005 to January 2007, 310 immunosuppressed patients were followed for fungal infections for a 6-month period. EDTA-anticoagulant whole blood specimens were collected prospectively once per week and stored at -20 degrees C until use in molecular assays.


RESULTS
Molecular assays were positive in 55 (17.7%) patients. The etiologic agents were Candida albicans (67.3%), Aspergillus flavus (20.0%), Aspergillus fumigatus (7.3%), Candida tropicalis (3.6%), and Candida krusei (1.8%). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of PCR-ELISA with proven and probable invasive fungal infections were 84.6%, 92.7%, 75.3%, and 95.8%, respectively. The results showed that the mean clinical manifestation time was 38.96 days and the mean time of positivity of the molecular test (time of infection) was 17.69 days. A linear model for predicted infection and clinical manifestation time was found to be as follows: Y=11.64+1.147X, r(2)=0.812, where Y is the time at presentation of clinical signs and X is the time of infection (positive PCR-ELISA result).


CONCLUSIONS
It may be concluded that the molecular assay would help in the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections at the early stage of infection, before clinical manifestations.
Badiee
Parisa
P
Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Badieep@yahoo.com
Kordbacheh
Parivash
P
Alborzi
Abdolvahab
A
Malekhoseini
SeyedAli
S
Ramzi
Mani
M
Mirhendi
Hossain
H
Mahmoodi
Mahmood
M
Shakiba
Elaheh
E
D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D001231:Aspergillus flavus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques; D009181:Mycoses; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors