Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 M.Sc., Department of Biochemistry, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Molecular pathology and cytogenetics division, Department of Pathology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
4 M.Sc., Motahari Polyclinic, Department of Pathology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Fungal infections are a major concern in immunocompromised patients, such as patients with hematologic malignancies and bone marrow transplants. Opportunistic infections such as invasive fungal infections can lead to poor outcomes and a high probability of death in such patients. Gold standard methods of fungi detection are intrusive and time-consuming. Therefore, they may not be the method of choice to detect such infections rapidly; however, they are always mandatory. Next to gold-standard methods, serologic methods are rapid and non-invasive methods that have been approved for use as an adjunct to classic methods for quicker detection of fungal infections.
Methods: In this study, 68 patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancies and suspicious of fungal infection were enrolled to detect fungi with serologic testing of Beta D-Glucan using ELISA. The authors evaluated the association of malignancy type, clinical signs, and patients’ para-clinical data with positive Beta D-Glucan tests.
Results: Out of 43 men and 25 women participating in this study, 79% had positive test results.
Conclusion: There was no significant association between malignancy type, clinical signs, patients’ para-clinical data, and their positive serology tests. Considering the probable false-positive results due to infection and the use of certain antibiotics in such immunocompromised patients, the authors concluded that the Beta D-Glucan ELISA test might not be a sensitive diagnosis means to diagnose fungal infections in patients with hematologic malignancies.
Keywords
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