This study illustrates that the diagnosis of IMD is still very problematic and lacks objectivity. Together with GM in BAL, the PCRs may prove an addition to the current available diagnostic armamentarium in IMD because of their ability to identify molds on a species level.
Pulmonary infections are common complications in immunocompromised patients and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Differentiating between infectious and noninfectious complications remains challenging. [1][2][3] BAL in critically ill patients often occurs following initiation of antibiotics, hampering the TABLE 1 ] Demographic Characteristics of 522 Immunocompromised Patients Undergoing BAL for Suspicion of Pneumonia Characteristic Value Age, y 57.63 AE 14.73 Male sex 306 (58.6) Hospitalization (IQR), d 11 (3; 25) Symptoms and signs Cough 300 (57.5) Dyspnea 124 (23.8) Sputum 118 (22.6) Fever 108 (20.7) Decrease in FEV 1 % predicted 59 (11.3) Reasons for immunosuppression a Allogenic HSCT 112 (21.5) Lung transplantation 83 (15.9) Other hematologic therapies 79 (15.1) Interstitial lung disease 59 (11.3) Connective tissue disease 52 (10.0) Chemotherapy 37 (7.1
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