How do you test for Galactomannan?

Background: A serum galactomannan (GM) antigen test has been widely used to diagnose invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. However, there are limited data on the use of the serum GM antigen test for the serologic diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA).

What is Galactomannan index?

Galactomannan is an Aspergillus-specific cell wall polysaccharide that is hematogenously released during aspergillosis and is detected by a commercially available test (Bio-Rad Laboratories) [7]; galactomannan is reported as an index of optical density (galactomannan index [GMI]; the index is considered to be positive …

What is Galactomannan antigen?

Galactomannan (GM) is a polysaccharide antigen that exists primarily in the cell walls of Aspergillus species. GM may be released into the blood and other body fluids even in the early stages of Aspergillus invasion, and the presence of this antigen can be sustained for 1 to 8 weeks (9).

What is Histoplasma Galactomannan?

Histoplasma capsulatum is a pathogenic dimorphic fungus of worldwide distribution endemic to the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys in the United States and to certain regions of Central and South Americas.

Why is Galactomannan test done?

This study is thus designed to test Galactomannan – a component of cell wall of Aspergillus and hence detect and treat fungal infection early. Detailed Description: The diagnosis of invasive Aspergillosis (IA) remains a challenge in the febrile neutropenic and the hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients.

Why Galactomannan test is done?

What is the treatment for aspergillosis?

Antifungal medications. These drugs are the standard treatment for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The most effective treatment is a newer antifungal drug, voriconazole (Vfend). Amphotericin B is another option. All antifungal drugs can have serious side effects, including kidney and liver damage.

What are the symptoms of histoplasmosis?

Symptoms of Histoplasmosis

• Fever.
• Cough.
• Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• Chills.
• Headache.
• Chest pain.
• Body aches.

How do I know if I have histoplasmosis?

What Are the Symptoms of Histoplasmosis? In most cases, histoplasmosis causes mild flu-like symptoms that appear between 3 and 17 days after exposure to the fungus. These symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, cough and chest discomfort.

Is Aspergillus contagious to humans?

But people who have a weakened immune system from illness or immunosuppressant medications have fewer infection-fighting cells. This allows aspergillus to take hold, invading the lungs and, in the most serious cases, other parts of the body. Aspergillosis is not contagious from person to person.

How often should galactomannan antigen levels be tested?

Patients at risk of IA should have a baseline serum tested and should be monitored twice a week for increasing galactomannan antigen levels. Galactomannan antigen levels may be useful in the assessment of therapeutic response. Antigen levels decline in response to antimicrobial therapy.

Is there a test to detect Histoplasma galactomannan antigen?

ALPHA Histoplasma EIA Test Kit for the Detection of Histoplasma Antigen- REF HAG102, Package Insert, Immuno- Mycologics, Inc., 2700 Technology Place, Norman, OK 73071, Revised 07/18/2011. Connolly PA., Durkin MM, LeMonte AM, Hackett EJ, Wheat LJ. Detection of Histoplasma antigen by a quantitative enzyme immunoassay.

Can a galactomannan assay be used with neonate serum?

The performance of the assay has not been evaluated with neonate serum specimens or for use with plasma or other specimen types such as urine or cerebrospinal fluid. The assay may exhibit reduced detection of galactomannan in patients with chronic granulomatous disease and Job syndrome.

How does antifungal therapy affect galactomannan detection?

The assay may exhibit reduced detection of galactomannan in patients with chronic granulomatous disease and Job syndrome. The concomitant use of antifungal therapy in some patients with invasive aspergillosis may result in reduced sensitivity of the assay.