Aspergillus PCR-based investigation of fresh tissue and effusion samples in patients with suspected invasive Aspergillosis enhances diagnostic capabilities.

ABSTRACT: Although it is a severe complication in immunocompromised patients, diagnosing invasive fungal disease (IFD), especially invasive aspergillosis (IA), remains difficult. In certain clinical scenarios, examining tissue samples for identification of the infectious organism becomes important. As culture-based methods rarely yield results, the performance of an Aspergillus-specific nested PCR in fresh tissue or pleural effusion samples was evaluated. Fresh tissue (n = 59) and effusion (n = 47) specimens from 79 immunocompromised patients were subjected to an Aspergillus-specific PCR assay. Twenty-six patients had proven (n = 20) or probable (n = 6) IFD, according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group and National Institute

SUBMITTER: Reinwald M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3838048 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature