Serum Galactomannan Useful for Evaluating Response in Invasive Aspergillosis

Among 115 immunocompromised patients, assessment using clinical criteria and clearance of Aspergillus galactomannan agreed 91% of the time.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the Mycoses Study Group (MSG) recently published consensus definitions of IA treatment outcomes, but , butbutthese definitions rely on subjective criteria or tests that may be unavailable.

Knowing that serum Aspergillus galactomannan index (GMI) values correlate with fungal burden in animal models, investigators wondered whether these values might facilitate outcome assessment in humans. In a recent study involving 115 cancer patients with IA, they compared treatment response as determined by GMI (i.e., survival with repeatedly negative serum GMI for ≥2 weeks after…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)