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Advances in the molecular and serological diagnosis of invasive fungal infection in haemato‐oncology patients
Author(s) -
McLintock Lorna A.,
Jones Brian L.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2004.05031.x
Subject(s) - serology , medicine , intensive care medicine , molecular diagnostics , fever of unknown origin , antifungal , immunology , clinical trial , biology , bioinformatics , dermatology , antibody
Summary Current laboratory diagnostic methods for invasive fungal infection (IFI) in haemato‐oncology patients are insensitive, resulting in late diagnosis and contributing to high mortality. In recent years, progress has been made in the development and evaluation of sensitive sero‐diagnostic assays, including detection of genomic DNA sequences and fungal antigens, which aid in a rapid, early diagnosis of IFI. The sensitivity and specificity of the assays vary considerably between studies, highlighting the need to correlate serological results with conventional laboratory tests and clinical or radiological findings. As part of management protocols, these assays may help to confirm the diagnosis of suspected IFI; however, the impact on mortality from IFI may be greatest when they are used to screen high‐risk patients. Persistently positive screening results could direct early aggressive antifungal therapy, guided further by radiological and microbiological findings combined with regular clinical review, while the excellent negative predictive value may allow treatment to be withheld in patients with antibiotic resistant neutropenic fever but no other signs of IFI. However, this pre‐emptive approach requires evaluation in prospective randomized trials.