Abstract | OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of real-time (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on blood samples for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis in patients with suspected invasive mould infection. METHODS: Adult patients with suspected invasive mould infection were prospectively enrolled at a tertiary referral hospital in Seoul, South Korea between 2017 and 2020. Standard tests for diagnosis of invasive mould infection and RT-PCR for Aspergillus, Mucor and Rhizopus using blood samples were performed. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of RT-PCR tests in patients diagnosed with proven and probable invasive aspergillosis or mucormycosis infection, according to the modified definitions of the EORTC/ MSG 2019. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients with suspected invasive mould infection were enrolled. Of these patients, 46 (45%) were classified as having proven (n = 13) or probable (n = 33) invasive aspergillosis, 21 (21%) as proven (n = 17) or probable (n = 4) invasive mucormycosis and 18 (18%) as possible invasive mould infection. The remaining 13 (13%) were classified as not having invasive mould infection. Patients with possible invasive mould infection (n = 18) and coinfection of aspergillosis and mucormycosis (n = 4) were excluded from the final analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of the Aspergillus PCR were 54.3% ([25/46], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 40.2-67.9%) and 94.1% ([32/34], 95% CI: 80.9-98.4%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the Mucor or Rhizopus PCR were 57.1% ([12/21], 95% CI: 36.6-75.5%) and 76.3% ([45/59], 95% CI: 64.0-85.3), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that blood PCR can be a useful adjunct test for diagnosing patients with suspected invasive mould infection.
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Authors | Hyeonji Seo, Ji Yeun Kim, Hyo-Ju Son, Jiwon Jung, Min Jae Kim, Yong Pil Chong, Sang-Oh Lee, Sang-Ho Choi, Yang Soo Kim, Sung-Han Kim |
Journal | Mycoses
(Mycoses)
Vol. 64
Issue 12
Pg. 1554-1562
(Dec 2021)
ISSN: 1439-0507 [Electronic] Germany |
PMID | 34013523
(Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH. |
Topics |
- Adult
- Aspergillosis
(diagnosis)
- Aspergillus
(genetics)
- Humans
- Invasive Fungal Infections
(diagnosis)
- Mucor
(genetics)
- Mucormycosis
(diagnosis)
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Republic of Korea
- Rhizopus
(genetics)
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Tertiary Care Centers
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