Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: RESULTS: The Histoplasma antigen test had positive results when urine samples from 11 (58%) of 19 patients who had acute or chronic coccidioidomycosis were tested. The sensitivity was highest for patients who had acute coccidioidomycosis, and antigenuria was detected in 11 (79%) of 14 patients. One patient who had chronic coccidioidomycosis but who had a negative result when a urine sample was tested had antigen detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should be alerted that infections with Coccidioides species may cause positive Histoplasma antigen test results. There is potential for the use of this test in the diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis by taking advantage of this observed cross-reactivity. The greatest benefit appears to be in the population of seriously ill patients with acute pneumonia who live in areas that are endemic for Coccidioides infection.
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Authors | Tim Kuberski, Robert Myers, L Joseph Wheat, Michelle Durkin, Patricia Connolly, Bernard M Kubak, David Bruckner, David Pegues |
Journal | Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
(Clin Infect Dis)
Vol. 44
Issue 5
Pg. e50-4
(Mar 01 2007)
ISSN: 1537-6591 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 17278049
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antigens, Fungal
- Coccidioidomycosis
(diagnosis)
- Cross Reactions
- Female
- Histoplasma
(immunology)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Retrospective Studies
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Serologic Tests
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