ASPERGILLUS GALACTOMANNAN Ag

Aspergillosis is an opportunistic infection caused by the inhalation of Aspergillus fungal spores, commonly present in the environment.
Invasive forms, on the rise over the past 10 years, represent the most serious infections.
Aspergillus tends to infect open spaces, such as lung cavities caused by previous diseases (e.g. bronchiectasis, cancer, tuberculosis), sinuses, or external auditory canals. In particular, A. fumigatus is the most frequent cause of invasive lung disease. Traditional methods of diagnosis often rely on non-specific diagnostic or radiological tests (clinical symptoms, CT scans, chest X-rays, etc.). Since Aspergillus is widespread in the environment, the positivity of sputum cultures may be due to environmental contamination.
The test for galactomannan antigen in serum and bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BAL) appears to be a method capable of supporting the diagnosis of invasive Aspergillosis. In invasive pulmonary Aspergillosis, the Galactomannan test in BAL is often the only option for patients with thrombocytopenia, for whom biopsy is contraindicated.