We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Practice Guidelines Published for Aspergillosis Diagnosis and Management

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 25 Jul 2016
Print article
Image: A histopathology image of pulmonary invasive aspergillosis in a patient with interstitial pneumonia (Grocott\'s methenamine silver stain) (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia).
Image: A histopathology image of pulmonary invasive aspergillosis in a patient with interstitial pneumonia (Grocott\'s methenamine silver stain) (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia).
The guidelines-update focuses on earaly diagnosis and new treatments for patients with of the major forms of aspergillosis: allergic, chronic, and invasive, the latter of which kills 40-80% of those with widespread infection. Early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis remains critical for more effective treatment.

As an airborne mold, aspergillus often is found in air conditioning units, compost piles, and damp or flood-damaged homes or buildings. While generally harmless, it can cause an allergic reaction or chronic lung problems in some people, and serious invasive disease in vulnerable patients. Immunocompromised patients are at highest risk for invasive aspergillosis. While requiring treatment, the allergic and chronic forms of aspergillosis typically are not deadly.

The 2016 guidelines (updated from 2008) were released by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA; Arlington, VA, USA). “Invasive aspergillosis often is overlooked, but early diagnosis and treatment are key,” said lead author Thomas Patterson, MD, professor, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (TX, USA) and South Texas Veterans Health Care System (San Antonio, TX, USA), “These are complicated infections with a number of treatment options. Patients really benefit from a multidisciplinary approach, including the expertise of an infectious disease specialist.”

The improved use of diagnostic tools has enhanced the ability to identify the infection early, including with blood tests, cultures, and computed tomography (CT) imaging. Because some methods are invasive (e.g. taking a culture directly from the lungs) physicians often are reluctant to proceed. However, because the infection is so deadly, physicians should be aggressive in diagnosing patients suspected of being infected.

New more-effective and better-tolerated antifungal medications, or versions of existing medications (e.g. extended release) have improved care, including isavuconazole and posaconazole. In some cases, combination therapy with voriconazole and an echinocandin is recommended for certain patients at highest risk. Because invasive aspergillosis is so deadly, the guidelines recommend some patients at highest risk even be treated with antifungals to prevent infection, including those with neutropenia and graft versus host disease (GVHD). Another prevention strategy is the use of special filtration systems for hospitalized immunosuppressed patients.

As with other IDSA guidelines, the aspergillosis guidelines will be available in a smartphone format and a pocket-sized quick-reference edition. The full guidelines are available free on the IDSA website.

As guidelines cannot always account for individual variation among patients, IDSA considers adherence to these guidelines to be voluntary, with the ultimate determination regarding their application to be made by the physician with judgment in the light of each patient's individual circumstances.

The study, by Patterson TF et al, was published June 29, 2016, in IDSA’s journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Related Links:
Infectious Diseases Society of America


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
Systemic Autoimmune Testing Assay
BioPlex 2200 ANA Screen with MDSS

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.