June 2018

Using PCR to Diagnose Aspergillus: A Change in Clinical Practice

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a life-threatening Invasive Fungal Disease (IFD) affecting immunocompromised patients. Aspergillus spores are common throughout the environment and with the capacity to invade via the lung, cause a spectrum of disease. IA is difficult to diagnose, as symptoms are non-specific and the sensitivity of traditional techniques – such as respiratory culture – is poor and slow. Delayed diagnosis leads to an increased morbidity and mortality rate, highlighting the urgent requirement for a rapid, sensitive diagnostic method.