Amazing solution in diagnosis of Aspergillosis ! A novel approach analysing a patient’s breath for key chemical compounds made by the infecting microbe -- may help detect invasive aspergillosis, a fungal infection that is a leading cause of mortality in patients with compromised immune systems. Currently difficult to diagnose, this type of fungal pneumonia often requires a lung biopsy for definitive identification. For debilitated patients with weakened immune systems, including organ or bone marrow transplant recipients and patients on chemotherapy, such an invasive procedure may be challenging. A non-invasive method that can also identify the type of fungus causing pneumonia could lead to earlier and more targeted treatment in these cases. Sophia Koo, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, and colleagues wondered if they could find a unique chemical signature in the breath of patients being evaluated for fungal pneumonia. In the lab, they identified several compounds, or metabolites, normally produced by Aspergillus fumigatus and other fungi that can cause pneumonia. The researchers then analysed breath samples from 64 patients with suspected cases of invasive aspergillosis and assessed whether it was possible to distinguish patients with this fungal pneumonia from patients who did not have this illness. Based on the identification of these fungal compounds in the breath samples, they identified patients with the fungal infection with high accuracy; 94% sensitivity and 93% specificity. There were no adverse events related to the breath collection procedure. It was well-tolerated, including by patients who had difficulty breathing or required supplemental oxygen.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 12:31:56 +0000