We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Routine Blood Parameters Predict Invasive Aspergillosis Prognosis

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 19 Nov 2019
Print article
Image: Photomicrograph of a hematoxylin-eosin-stained human lung tissue specimen, harvested from a pulmonary aspergillosis patient. The histopathologic changes indicate the presence of Aspergillus sp. fungal organisms. Note the branching hyphae amongst the lung tissue (Photo courtesy of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology).
Image: Photomicrograph of a hematoxylin-eosin-stained human lung tissue specimen, harvested from a pulmonary aspergillosis patient. The histopathologic changes indicate the presence of Aspergillus sp. fungal organisms. Note the branching hyphae amongst the lung tissue (Photo courtesy of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology).
Aspergillosis occurs in chronic or acute forms which are clinically very distinct. Most cases of acute aspergillosis occur in patients with severely compromised immune systems, e.g. those undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Symptoms include fever, chills, shock, delirium, seizures, and blood clots.

Acute invasive aspergillosis occurs when the immune system fails to prevent Aspergillus spores from entering the bloodstream via the lungs. Without the body mounting an effective immune response, fungal cells are free to disseminate throughout the body and can infect major organs such as the heart and kidneys. The patient may develop kidney failure, liver failure (causing jaundice), and breathing difficulties and death can occur quickly.

A large team of scientists working with the National University of Singapore (Singapore) performed a post-hoc secondary analysis of two multicenter randomized trials. The Global Comparative Aspergillosis Study (GCA, N=123) and the Combination Antifungal Study (CAS, N=251) constituted the discovery and validation cohorts respectively. The outcome measures were response to treatment and survival to 12 weeks. Interval platelet, galactomannan index (GMI) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels prior and during anti-fungal treatment were analyzed.

The investigators reported that the 12-week survival was 70.7% and 63.7% for the GCA and CAS cohorts respectively. In the GCA cohort, every 10×109/L platelet count increase at week 2 and 4 improved 12-week survival odds by 6-18% (Odds ratio [OR] 1.06-1.18). Survival odds also improved 13% with every 10 mg/dL CRP drop at week 1 and 2 (OR 0.87). In the CAS cohort, week 2 platelet count was also associated with 12-week survival with 10% improved odds for every 10×109/L platelet increase (OR, 1.10). A GMI drop of 0.1 units was additionally found to increase the odds of treatment response by 3% at the baseline of week 0 (OR 0.97). Week 2 platelet and CRP levels performed better than GMI on ROC analyses for survival (area under ROC curve 0.76, 0.87 and 0.67 respectively). A baseline platelet count higher than 30×109/L clearly identified patients with > 75% survival probability.

The authors concluded that higher serial platelets were associated with overall survival while GMI trends were linked to invasive aspergillosis treatment response. Routine and simple laboratory indices may aid follow-up of response in invasive aspergillosis patients. The study was published on October 24, 2019 in the journal Clinical Microbiology and Infection.

Related Links:
National University of Singapore

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
Gold Member
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.