galactomannan and Zygomycosis

The usefulness of surrogate markers in the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections caused by Aspergillus and other emerging mycelial fungi is based on the ability of surrogate markers to detect the infection caused by different species of mycelial fungi. Conventional microbiological methods for diagnosis of fungal disease are slow and insensitive. Antigen based assays or measurement of (1-3)-beta-D-glucan in blood have been developed and validated in clinical laboratories. We review these diagnostic contemporary tools, their clinical application and impact.

Topics: Antibodies, Fungal; Antigens, Fungal; Aspergillosis; beta-Glucans; Biomarkers; Clinical Trials as Topic; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; DNA, Fungal; Early Diagnosis; Fungemia; Galactose; Humans; Immunologic Techniques; Mannans; Predictive Value of Tests; Proteoglycans; Risk Factors; Zygomycosis