Highly sensitive detection of fungal antigens by ultrasound-enhanced latex agglutination

J Med Vet Mycol. 1995 May-Jun;33(3):201-3. doi: 10.1080/02681219580000411.

Abstract

Treatment with ultrasound has been employed to greatly enhance the sensitivity of commercially available latex agglutination tests for fungal antigens. This 5 min procedure detects 40 pg ml-1 of Candida albicans mannan and 70 pg ml-1 of Aspergillus fumigatus galactomannan, a 250 and 500-fold improvement respectively over conventional agglutination test sensitivities. The ultrasound-enhanced test offers the possibility of improved diagnosis and management of patients with systemical candidosis or invasive aspergillosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Fungal / isolation & purification*
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / immunology*
  • Candida albicans / immunology*
  • Galactose / analogs & derivatives
  • Latex Fixation Tests*
  • Mannans / isolation & purification
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Ultrasonics

Substances

  • Antigens, Fungal
  • Mannans
  • galactomannan
  • Galactose