[Mycoserology--did we move on? Aspergillus].
Diseases caused by Aspergillus spp. are difficult to diagnose and thus require supplementary serological assays. This is the result of a selective review of the relevant literature with special regard to recent guidelines. In addition to conventional diagnostic tools (radiology, microscopy, culture) the measurement of the following serological markers is recommended, depending on the clinical type of aspergillosis: Invasive and chronic necrotising aspergillosis: Aspergillus-galactomannan antigen. Test format: EIA using the rat MAb EB-A2. Cut-off 0.5 (index). Monitoring of high risk patients: Twice weekly. Aspergillus-IgG (test format EIA) as confirmatory assay after recovery of the leukocyte function under therapy. Aspergilloma: Aspergillus IgG. Test format: EIA. Allergical aspergillosis: Aspergillus IgE. Test format: RAST. Galactomannan antigen detection rates high in the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. The evaluation of Aspergillus nucleic acid amplification assays is pending.
Kappe
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Institut für medizinische Laboratoriumsdiagnostik und Mikrobiologie, Südharz-Krankenhaus Nordhausen gGmbH, Nordhausen, Deutschland. Reinhard.Kappe@shk-ndh.de
Rimek
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D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000276:immunology*; D005690:Galactose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008351:Mannans / Q000097:blood; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008351:Mannans; C012990:galactomannan; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D005690:Galactose