title: Diagnostics and susceptibility testing in Aspergillus.
abstract: Invasive aspergillosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients. Early diagnosis and correct antifungal treatment have a direct impact on patient survival. A number of newer diagnostic procedures have been developed as alternatives to conventional microbiological methods. The detection of fungal components, largely antigens and DNA, are used in clinical laboratories to diagnose invasive aspergillosis. Other rapid diagnostic tests have been recently developed with promising results. However, antifungal resistance is becoming an emerging problem. The detection of this resistance is important to administer the proper antifungal agent. This text reviews the novelties on new diagnostics Aspergillus spp.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intrinsic antifungal resistance and mechanisms of secondary resistance to triazoles in A. fumigatus are also reviewed.
authors: Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Spanish Network for the Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD12/0015), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Leticia
authors: L
authors: Bernal-Martínez
authors: Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Spanish Network for the Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD12/0015), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Alastruey-Izquierdo
authors: Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Spanish Network for the Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD12/0015), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Cuenca-Estrella
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000401:mortality; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015415:Biomarkers; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008828:Microbiological Techniques
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: LFD; PCR; antifungal resistance; azoles; cryptic species; diagnosis; galactomannan; β-glucan