Invasive aspergillosis in two liver transplant recipients: diagnosis by SeptiFast

Transpl Infect Dis. 2009 Apr;11(2):175-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3062.2009.00367.x. Epub 2009 Feb 5.

Abstract

We report the clinical features, diagnosis, and monitoring findings of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in 2 liver transplant recipients. Blood/serum samples and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids were analyzed by a novel commercial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (SeptiFast) and an Aspergillus galactomannan (GM) enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA). The diagnosis of IA could be performed in <6 h with the detection of Aspergillus fumigatus DNA in blood and BAL fluid. High GM values (mean: 9.1, range: 7.3-10.8) in serum and BAL fluid confirmed the SeptiFast result. Follow-up of the SeptiFast findings and GM index correlated with the clinical course. The molecular detection of A. fumigatus-specific DNA and GM test in blood/serum and BAL samples appears to be a useful tool for prompt diagnosis of IA. Further prospective clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the accuracy of SeptiFast and the GM test in diagnosing IA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Fungal / blood
  • Aspergillosis / blood
  • Aspergillosis / diagnosis*
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / isolation & purification*
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / microbiology
  • DNA, Fungal / blood
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / blood
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Postoperative Complications / blood
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis*
  • Postoperative Complications / microbiology

Substances

  • Antigens, Fungal
  • DNA, Fungal
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • galactomannoprotein, Aspergillus fumigatus