Developments in Fungal Serology

Abstract

Purpose of Review The true incidence of fungal disease is hampered by conventionally poor diagnostic tests, limited access to advanced diagnostics, and limited surveillance. The availability of serological testing has been available for over two decades and generally underpins the modern diagnosis of the most common forms of fungal disease. This review will focus on technical developments of serological tests for the diagnosis of fungal disease, describing advances in clinical performance when available. Recent Findings Despite their longevity, technical, clinical, and performance limitations remain, and tests specific for fungal pathogens outside the main pathogens are lacking. The availability of LFA and automated systems, capable of running multiple different tests, represents significant developments, but clinical performance data is variable and limited. Summary Fungal serology has significantly advanced the diagnosis of the main fungal infections, with LFA availability increasing accessibility to testing. Combination testing has the potential to overcome performance limitations.

A novel indirect ELISA for serodiagnosis of mucormycosis using antigens from Rhizopus arrhizus

“…[39][40][41] While there has been growing evidence that supported the role of IgG and IgM antibodies of early detection of systemic fungal infections as aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis etc., not much work has been done for the serodiagnosis of mucormycosis. [42][43][44][45][46] In mucormycosis, the host immune response to fungus is not clear. Recently, Gebremariam et al 47 showed that anti-CotH3 antibodies in mice conferred protection against mucormycosis.…”

“…The clinical significance of antibody assays in Aspergillus infections other than chronic and allergic aspergillosis, remains unclear and less studied 39–41 . While there has been growing evidence that supported the role of IgG and IgM antibodies of early detection of systemic fungal infections as aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis etc., not much work has been done for the serodiagnosis of mucormycosis 42–46 . In mucormycosis, the host immune response to fungus is not clear.…”