antigen detection – mycolab.ai

Usefulness of Serum as a Non-Invasive Sample for the Detection of Histoplasma capsulatum Infections: Retrospective Comparative Analysis of Different Diagnostic Techniques and Quantification of Host Biomarkers

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This study examined whether using blood serum samples is practical for diagnosing histoplasmosis, a serious fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. Researchers tested four different diagnostic methods on serum samples from patients with histoplasmosis, varying in severity and immune status. They found that combining multiple testing methods provided the best results, with different techniques working better depending on whether patients had weakened immune systems from HIV or were otherwise healthy. The study also measured immune system chemicals called cytokines and found elevated levels in infected patients, suggesting these could help predict disease severity.

Characterization of the Spatiotemporal Localization of a Pan-Mucorales–Specific Antigen During Germination and Immunohistochemistry

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Researchers developed a new diagnostic test using a special antibody that can detect Mucorales fungi, which cause a serious infection called mucormycosis. The antibody glows to mark growing fungal threads in tissue samples, helping doctors identify the infection early and distinguish it from other mold infections like Aspergillus. This breakthrough could significantly improve patient outcomes by enabling faster diagnosis and treatment of this aggressive fungal disease.

Diagnostic performance of Aspergillus-specific immunoglobulin G immunochromatographic and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: comparative analysis across subtypes and influencing factors

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Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis is a serious fungal lung infection that often develops after tuberculosis. This study compared two blood tests for diagnosing this disease: a quick point-of-care test and a traditional lab test. The quick test performed better overall and could be used in areas without advanced laboratory equipment, though previous antifungal or steroid medications can reduce its effectiveness.

Detection of Mucorales antigen in bronchoalveolar lavage samples using a newly developed lateral-flow device

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Researchers tested a new rapid test device that detects a specific protein released by dangerous mold infections (mucormycosis) in patient respiratory samples. The test uses a special antibody to identify these molds quickly, which is important because mucormycosis can be life-threatening and requires fast treatment. The device showed promise with about 77% accuracy in identifying infections, though larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Detection of Mucorales antigen in bronchoalveolar lavage samples using a newly developed lateral-flow device

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Researchers developed and tested a new rapid test (TG11-LFD) for detecting mucormycosis, a dangerous fungal infection, using a simple device similar to a COVID rapid test. The test detects a specific protein marker released by Mucorales fungi in lung fluid samples. In testing with 62 clinical samples, the new test correctly identified about 77% of actual infections and was negative in about 76% of non-infected samples. This affordable, simple test could help doctors quickly diagnose mucormycosis and start life-saving treatment faster, especially in countries with limited laboratory resources.

Fungi under fire: diagnostic capacities and antifungal availability in Peruvian healthcare facilities

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This study examined how well Peruvian hospitals can diagnose and treat serious fungal infections across the country. Researchers surveyed 54 healthcare centers and found that while basic fungal tests are available everywhere, advanced diagnostic tools and certain antifungal medications are mostly limited to the capital city of Lima. The research identifies major gaps in care that need to be addressed to help more patients survive these serious infections.

Photo Quiz: A cutaneous fungal infection with discordant biomarker results—a diagnostic challenge

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A woman with advanced HIV disease presented with unusual skin lesions that were initially suspected to be from a virus, but laboratory testing revealed a rare fungal infection called histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. The case was challenging because some standard fungal tests came back negative even though the patient had the infection, showing why doctors need to rely on culture and examination under the microscope. She was treated with antifungal medications and her diagnosis highlights the importance of considering fungal infections in severely immunocompromised patients even when initial tests seem negative.

Comparison of galactomannan lateral flow assay and enzyme immunoassay to identify Aspergillus spp. in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid

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Researchers compared two rapid tests for detecting a fungal infection called aspergillosis in lung fluid samples. One test uses a simple lateral flow format (like a COVID test), while the other is a more traditional enzyme immunoassay. Both tests had good agreement, with the lateral flow assay showing high accuracy and the advantage of being faster and requiring fewer laboratory resources, making it especially useful for hospitals with limited equipment.

Research Keyword: antigen detection