Value of detections of serum galactomannan antigen and Aspergillus fumigatus antibodies for early diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Abstract

Objective To investigate the value of detections of serum galactomannan (GM) antigen and Aspergillus fumigatus antibodies for early diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods The clinical data of 51 COPD patients were retrospectively reviewed. All the patients received detections of serum GM antigen and Aspergillus fumigatus antibody IgG and IgM. Results Eleven patients were diagnosed as probable IPA, seven of them recovered, four cases died,and the death rate was 36.4 ％. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of GM antigen detection was 45.5％ and 92.5％. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of specific IgG to Aspergillus was 63.6％ and 87.5％. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of specific IgM to Aspergillus was 36.4 ％ and 92.5％. Conclusions Serological tests have high specificity in the diagnosis of IPA in COPD patients, the sensitivity of Aspergillus antibody IgG is better than that of GM antigen and Aspergillus antibody IgM. Key words: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Galactomannan antigen; Aspergillus fumigatus antibody