Treatment with piperacillin-tazobactam and false-positive Aspergillus galactomannan antigen test results for patients with hematological malignancies

Clin Infect Dis. 2004 Mar 15;38(6):917-20. doi: 10.1086/383148. Epub 2004 Feb 27.

Abstract

We report the occurrence of a high rate of false-positive test results during the surveillance of hematology patients for galactomannan (GM) antigenemia. Among 218 patients surveyed from June 2002 through June 2003, 42 (19.3%) had > or =1 serum sample positive for GM (optical density index, >1.5). Of these patients, 38 had no additional evidence of invasive aspergillosis, and, therefore, their test results were considered to be false-positives. Case-control analysis showed that treatment with piperacillin-tazobactam was the only risk factor significantly associated with receiving false-positive test results. When tested for GM antigen, 3 of 4 piperacillin-tazobactam batches had positive results. Physicians should be aware of the possible interference of treatment with piperacillin-tazobactam when interpreting the results of the GM assay.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
  • Antigens, Fungal / analysis
  • Aspergillus / isolation & purification*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Galactose / analogs & derivatives
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / blood
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mannans / analysis*
  • Microbiological Techniques*
  • Middle Aged
  • Penicillanic Acid / adverse effects*
  • Penicillanic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Piperacillin / adverse effects*
  • Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antigens, Fungal
  • Mannans
  • galactomannan
  • Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination
  • Penicillanic Acid
  • Piperacillin
  • Galactose