Aspergillus species isolated from clinical specimens: suggested clinical and microbiological criteria to determine significance.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_4CA62674D71A
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Aspergillus species isolated from clinical specimens: suggested clinical and microbiological criteria to determine significance.
Journal
Clinical Infectious Diseases
Author(s)
Greub G., Bille J.
ISSN
1469-0691
Publication state
Published
Issued date
02/1998
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
4
Number
12
Pages
710-716
Language
english
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To test a case-definition score for its usefulness in the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis and to determine microbiological criteria useful in assessing the significance of isolating Aspergillus species from lower respiratory tract specimens (LRTS). METHODS: With the exception of cystic fibrosis patients, all patients with Aspergillus isolated from LRTS were classified according to a clinical case-definition ratio as: (i) colonized patients; (ii) patients with isolates of undetermined significance; (iii) patients with proven or probable pulmonary aspergillosis. Retrospective review of pathology records led to the identification of additional patients with histologically compatible pulmonary aspergillosis. Microbiological variables were compared between aspergillosis and colonization groups. RESULTS: Seventy-six isolates of Aspergillus species were obtained from 73 patients. For patients with proven (n=2) or histologically compatible pulmonary aspergillosis (n=5), the case definition ratio was always higher than 0.3; no patient with proven disease was classified into the colonized group. Compared to patients considered to be colonized (n=26), patients with proven or probable pulmonary aspergillosis showed a significant difference in the total number of Aspergillus colonies cultured per episode. In addition, for bronchoalveolar lavage specimens, the mean number of Aspergillus colonies/agar plate was also significantly higher in the latter group. The sensitivity and specificity of Aspergillus spp. detection by culture of LRTS for proven or probable pulmonary aspergillosis was 35.7% and 70.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The case-definition ratio used in this study helps interpret the clinical significance of Aspergillus isolated from LRTS. Data for assessment should include the absolute number of colonies recovered from culture of any LRTS and, for bronchoalveolar lavage, the mean number of Aspergillus colonies per agar plate.
Pubmed
Create date
11/02/2008 12:39
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:01
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