Investigating the Presence of Aspergillus fumigatus and A. flavus Using Galactomannan Enzyme Assay and TaqMan Real-Time PCR Technique

Abstract

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA), a serious and fatal disease, is caused by numerous opportunistic fungi including Aspergillus species. Lack of early diagnosis and delay in treatment lead to the rapid spread of the infection and relapse, increase treatment costs, and ultimately cause death. Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the presence of Aspergillus species by Galactomannan EIA (GM) and TaqMan q PCR methods. Methods: Fluid samples of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were collected from 89 patients, who were at risk for IA and underwent a bronchoscopy at Shariati hospital in Tehran, Iran. The specimens were examined using direct examination, culture methods, and GM and TaqMan real-time PCR. Results: A total of 23 samples were found to be positive in direct examination, 7 were identified as A. fumigatus, and 11 were positive as A.flavus in culture assays, 27 were GM positive, and 29 were positive with PAN Aspergillus probe. Moreover, 7 samples were positive with A. fumigatus probe and 11 were positive with A. flavus probe. Negative predictive value (NPV), sensitivity, positive predictive value

Coinfection of Strongyloides stercoralis and Aspergillus sp.

“…We have isolated both A. flavus and A. niger species from the BAL sample in our case while as listed in Table 1, in three cases, A. fumigatus caused the infection [16,19,20]. is discrepancy may be due to the fact that in Iran, A. flavus is the dominant species of Aspergillus which has been isolated from clinical samples because of the abundance of the spores in the environment of this species compared to other species [30]. Although we have isolated both A. flavus and A. niger species from the patient's sample, we believe that the A. flavus is the main species of Aspergillus that caused pathogenesis in the patient and the possibility of environmental contamination by Aspergillus niger cannot be simply ruled out.…”