[The value of real-time PCR analysis of serum samples for early diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in organ transplant recipients].
OBJECTIVE
To study the value of Aspergillus real-time PCR as a tool for diagnosing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis(IPA) from serum samples in organ transplant recipients.


METHODS
From Jan.2004 to Mar.2006, 59 organ transplant recipients from Shanghai First People's Hospital with high possibility of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis were evaluated. Of the 59 patients, 5 had proven, 6 had probable, and 18 had possible invasive Aspergillus infection according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycosis Study Group definitions. A total of 274 serum samples were analyzed using real-time PCR.


RESULTS
Seven of these immunocompromised patients were PCR positive, correlating with positive sputum cultures, positive histology, and positive signs of CT scans. False negative results were found in 2 patients. They had positive PCR results without any correlation to clinical or other diagnostic criteria. Twenty-eight immunocompromised patients with a negative PCR result showed no evidence of invasive fungal disease. Compared with sputum culture, CT scan and galactomannan test, PCR positivity preceded diagnosis by a mean of 7.9 d, 6.0 d, 1.5 d, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Aspergillus real-time PCR is a helpful test for the early diagnosis of IPA in high-risk organ transplant recipients.
Zhu
Xiao-min
XM
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200080, China.
Zhou
Xin
X
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055744:Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
D004271:DNA, Fungal