Diagnosis and treatment of invasive fungal infections in the cancer patient: recent progress and ongoing questions

Disseminated Histoplasmosis in a Patient with Myelofibrosis on Ruxolitinib: A Case Report and Review of the Literature on Ruxolitinib-Associated Invasive Fungal Infections

Ruxolitinib, a selective inhibitor of Janus kinases, is a standard treatment for intermediate/high-risk myelofibrosis (MF) but is associated with a predisposition to opportunistic infections, especially herpes zoster. However, the incidence and characteristics of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in these patients remain uncertain. In this report, we present the case of a 59-year-old woman with MF who developed disseminated histoplasmosis after seven months of ruxolitinib use. The patient clinically improved after ten weeks of combined amphotericin B and azole therapy, and ruxolitinib was discontinued. Later, the patient received fedratinib, a relatively JAK2-selective inhibitor, without relapse of histoplasmosis. We also reviewed the literature on published cases of proven IFIs in patients with MF who received ruxolitinib. Including ours, we identified 28 such cases, most commonly due to Cryptococcus species (46%). IFIs were most commonly disseminated (39%), followed by localized lung (21%) infections. Although uncommon, a high index of suspicion for opportunistic IFIs is needed in patients receiving JAK inhibitors. Furthermore, the paucity of data regarding the optimal management of IFIs in patients treated with JAK inhibitors underscore the need for well-designed studies to evaluate the epidemiology, pathobiology, early diagnosis, and multimodal therapy of IFIs in patients with hematological malignancies receiving targeted therapies.

A Systematic Literature Review to Identify Diagnostic Gaps in Managing Immunocompromised Patients With Cancer and Suspected Infection

Patients with cancer are increasingly vulnerable to infections, which may be more severe than in the general population. Improvements in rapid and timely diagnosis to optimize management are needed. We conducted a systematic literature review to determine the unmet need in diagnosing acute infections in immunocompromised patients with cancer and identified 50 eligible studies from 5188 records between 1 January 2012 and 23 June 2022. There was considerable heterogeneity in study designs and parameters, laboratory methods and definitions, and assessed outcomes, with limited evaluation of diagnostic impact on clinical outcomes. Culture remains the primary diagnostic strategy. Fewer studies employing molecular technologies exist, but emerging literature suggests that pathogen-agnostic molecular tests may add to the diagnostic armamentarium. Well-designed clinical studies using standardized methodologies are needed to better evaluate performance characteristics and clinical and economic impacts of emerging diagnostic techniques to improve patient outcomes.

A Drug-Drug Interaction Study to Evaluate the Impact of Simvastatin and Itraconazole on Erlotinib Pharmacokinetics in Rats by UPLC-MS/MS

Aim

The goal of our study was to investigate the effects of single-dose simvastatin and itraconazole application on the pharmacokinetics of erlotinib in rats.

Methods

Twenty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, including erlotinib combined with simvastatin, erlotinib combined with itraconazole and erlotinib alone groups. The rats were given a single dose of 2 mg/kg simvastatin, 15 mg/kg itraconazole or 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose followed by 12 mg/kg erlotinib. The concentration of erlotinib in rat plasma was determined by UPLC-MS/MS. As internal standard, tinidazole was used for chromatographic analysis on the Kinetex C18 column (100×2.1 mm, 2.6 μm).

Results

Erlotinib was validated in the calibration range of 5-1000 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 5 ng/mL. The inter- and intra-day precisions for erlotinib were less than 10.56%, and the accuracies were in the range of 98.61-104.99%. The validated UPLC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to this study. Compared with the erlotinib alone group, the values of AUC0-t, AUC0-∞, Cmax, Vz/F and t1/2 in the simvastatin group showed no statistical differences among pharmacokinetic parameters (P>0.05). However, the values of AUC0-t, AUC0-∞ and Cmax, in the itraconazole group were approximately 1.32-fold, 1.32-fold and 1.34-fold higher, and the CL/F was lower than those in the erlotinib alone group; the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Simvastatin had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of erlotinib, whereas co-administration of itraconazole considerably increased the exposure of erlotinib. Therefore, we should pay more attention to the potential drug-drug interaction to ensure safety in cancer patient treatment.

Invasive fungal infections in hematologic malignancies: Incidence, management, and antifungal therapy

The incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) has increased in recent years as a result of increasing the incidence of hematologic malignancies (HMs). IFIs, as the opportunistic diseases, are the most important concern in these patients with a high mortality rate. These infections are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in HM patients and an important factor in increasing the costs of patients' management because of the prolonged hospitalization and the inevitable need to use antifungal agents. Due to the changes in the pattern of organisms causing IFIs, unavailability of effective and safe antifungal drugs, and high rate of drug resistance as well as lack of fast and accurate diagnostic methods, these infections have become a serious and life-threatening problem necessitating effective prevention and treatment strategies using suitable antifungal agents, especially in high-risk patients. The aim of the present study was to review the pathogens causing various types of IFIs, diagnostic methods, and novel prophylactic and therapeutic antifungal regimens in HM patients according to the new published studies and clinical trials.

Breakthrough Invasive Sinusitis by Hormographiella aspergillata in a Neutropenic Patient Receiving Voriconazole Therapy: A Case Report and Review of Breakthrough H. aspergillata Infections

Breakthrough invasive infections occurs during the use of antifungals both in prophylaxis and therapy, it favors the emergence of new pathogens in the fungal landscape. Hormographiella aspergillata is considered a rare but emerging pathogen in the era of broad-spectrum antifungal use in patients with hematological malignancies. Here, we present a case report of invasive sinusitis due to Hormographiella aspergillata, manifesting as a breakthrough infection in a patient with severe aplastic anemia under treatment with voriconazole for invasive pulmonary aspergilosis. Also, we make a review of H. aspergillata breakthrough infections published in the literature.

Neutropenia-related aspergillosis in non-transplant haematological patients hospitalised under ambient air versus purified air conditions

BACKGROUND

To reduce the risk of invasive aspergillosis (IA), air purification by high-efficiency particulate air filtration and laminar air flow (HEPA/LAF) is standard of care in allogeneic blood stem cell transplantation. Its use in non-transplant haematological patients is inconsistent.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to assess the incidence and outcome of pulmonary IA in non-transplant patients with life-threatening neutropenia by comparing an ambient air hospitalisation period (2008-2011) with a subsequent HEPA/LAF hospitalisation period (2012-2014).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We compared 204 consecutive patients with acute myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or aplastic anaemia completing 534 neutropenia-related hospitalisations under ambient air conditions with 126 such patients completing 437 neutropenia-related hospitalisations under HEPA/LAF conditions. IA was defined using the 2008 EORTC/MSG criteria.

RESULTS

Within a 7-year study period, we observed one 'proven', three 'probable' and 73 'possible' IAs, most often during acute leukaemia remission induction. Their frequency rose with increasing duration of life-threatening neutropenia (1-10 days, 1.8%; >40 days, 35.2%) and concomitant severe anaemia (0 days, 3.2%; >20 days, 31.0%). Multiple logistic regression revealed a strong correlation between IA incidence and hospitalisation under HEPA/LAF conditions (odds ratio [OR], 0.368 [95% confidence interval, 0.207-0.654]; p < .001) and duration of neutropenia (OR, 1.043 [1.023-1.062] per day; p < .001) and anaemia (OR, 1.044 [1.008-1.081] per day; p = .016). IA-associated fatal outcomes were non-significantly reduced under HEPA/LAF (OR, 0.077 [0.005-1.151]; p = .063). The protective effect of HEPA/LAF was not seen under posaconazole prophylaxis (OR, 0.856 [0.376-1.950]; p = .711).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of HEPA/LAF was associated with a significant reduction in neutropenia-related IA in non-transplant haematological patients.

Diagnostic Capacity for Invasive Fungal Infections in the Greek Paediatric Haematology-Oncology Units: Report from the Infection Working Group of the Hellenic Society of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology

An audit based on a specific questionnaire was attempted, in order to investigate the mycology laboratory diagnostic capacity for invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) in Greek Paediatric Haematology-Oncology departments/units. The study provided the relevant information for the years 2019 and 2020 and included data from all units, concerning culture-based methods and direct microscopy, phenotypic and molecular identification, sensitivity testing, serology and molecular diagnosis, as well as therapeutic drug monitoring. The target was mostly to reveal the level of laboratory coverage for hospitalised paediatric patients, independently of the possibility of performing the tests in the host hospital, or otherwise to refer the specimens elsewhere. In total, the current study demonstrated that the most important facilities and services regarding the IFD diagnostics for paediatric haematology-oncology patients in Greece are available and relatively easily accessible, with a reasonable turnaround time. Acting as an initial registry for further improvements, the audit can serve as a valuable approach to the actual situation and future perspectives. A national clinical mycology network under the auspices of the relevant scientific societies will probably facilitate collaboration between all the departments (clinical and laboratory) involved in invasive fungal infections and provide an easier approach to any necessary test for any hospitalised patient.

How I perform hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on patients with a history of invasive fungal disease

Hematopoietic transplantation is the preferred treatment for many patients with hematologic malignancies. Some patients may develop invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) during initial chemotherapy, which need to be considered when assessing patients for transplantation and treatment posttransplantation. Given the associated high risk of relapse and mortality in the post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) period, IFDs, especially invasive mold diseases, were historically considered a contraindication for HSCT. Over the last 3 decades, advances in antifungal drugs and early diagnosis have improved IFD outcomes, and HSCT in patients with a recent IFD has become increasingly common. However, an organized approach for performing transplantation in patients with a prior IFD is scarce, and decisions are highly individualized. Patient-, malignancy-, transplantation procedure-, antifungal treatment-, and fungus-specific issues affect the risk of IFD relapse. Effective surveillance to detect IFD relapse post-HSCT and careful drug selection for antifungal prophylaxis are of paramount importance. Antifungal drugs have their own toxicities and interact with immunosuppressive drugs such as calcineurin inhibitors. Immune adjunct cytokine or cellular therapy and surgery can be considered in selected cases. In this review, we critically evaluate these factors and provide guidance for the complex decision making involved in the peri-HSCT management of these patients.

CMV Prevention and Treatment in Transplantation: What's New in 2019

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Transplant recipients are at risk for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and associated morbidity and mortality. We summarize recently introduced or currently investigated modalities for prevention and treatment of CMV infection in hematopoietic cell (HCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Letermovir was recently approved for CMV prevention in HCT recipients. Data from real world studies support its role to improve outcomes in this population. Letermovir is currently under investigation for broader patient populations and indications. Maribavir is in late stages of development for CMV treatment and may provide a safer alternative to currently available anti-CMV drugs. Promising CMV vaccine candidates and adoptive cell therapy approaches are under evaluation. CMV immune monitoring assays are predicted to play a more central role in our clinical decision making. In recent years, major advances have been made in CMV prevention and treatment in transplant recipients. Rigorous research is ongoing and is anticipated to further impact our ability to improve outcomes in this population.

Call for Action: Invasive Fungal Infections Associated With Ibrutinib and Other Small Molecule Kinase Inhibitors Targeting Immune Signaling Pathways

Opportunistic infections caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii, Cryptococcus neoformans, and ubiquitous airborne filamentous fungi have been recently reported in patients with hematological cancers historically considered at low risk for invasive fungal infections (IFIs), after receipt of the Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib. The spectrum and severity of IFIs often observed in these patients implies the presence of a complex immunodeficiency that may not be solely attributed to mere inhibition of Bruton tyrosine kinase. In view of the surge in development of small molecule kinase inhibitors for treatment of malignant and autoimmune diseases, it is possible that there would be an emergence of IFIs associated with the effects of these molecules on the immune system. Preclinical assessment of the immunosuppressive effects of kinase inhibitors and human studies aimed at improving patient risk stratification for development of IFIs could lead to prevention, earlier diagnosis, and better outcomes in affected patients.

Risks and outcomes of invasive fungal infections in pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients receiving fluconazole prophylaxis: a multicenter cohort study by the Turkish Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Study Group

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a major cause of infection-related morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Data from pediatric settings are scarce. To determine the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of IFIs in a 180-day period post-transplantation, 408 pediatric patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT were retrospectively analyzed. The study included only proven and probable IFIs. The cumulative incidences of IFI were 2.7%, 5.0%, and 6.5% at 30, 100, and 180 days post-transplantation, respectively. According to the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with increased IFI risk in the 180-day period post-HSCT were previous HSCT history (hazard ratio [HR], 4.57; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42-14.71; P = .011), use of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) (HR, 2.94; 95% CI 1.27-6.80; P = .012), grade III-IV acute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) (HR, 2.91; 95% CI 1.24-6.80; P = .014) and late or no lymphocyte engraftment (HR, 2.71; 95% CI 1.30-5.62; P = .007). CMV reactivation was marginally associated with an increased risk of IFI development (HR, 1.91; 95% CI 0.97-3.74; P = .063). IFI-related mortality was 1.5%, and case fatality rate was 27.0%.The close monitoring of IFIs in pediatric patients with severe acute GVHD who receive ATG during conditioning is critical to reduce morbidity and mortality after allogeneic HSCT, particularly among those with prior HSCT and no or late lymphocyte engraftment.

Aspergillus endocarditis: Diagnostic criteria and predictors of outcome, A retrospective cohort study

Background

Fungal Endocarditis (FE), a relatively rare disease, has a high rate of mortality and is associated with multiple morbidities. Aspergillus endocarditis (AE) is severe form of FE. Incidence of AE has increased and is expected to rise due to an increased frequency of invasive procedures, cardiac devices and prosthetic valves together with increased use of immune system suppressors. AE lacks most of the clinical criteria used to diagnose infective endocarditis (IE), where blood culture is almost always negative, and fever may be absent. Diagnosis is usually late and in many cases is made post-mortem. Late or mistaken diagnosis of AE contribute to delayed and incorrect management of patients. In the current study we aimed to describe the clinical, laboratory and imaging characteristics of AE, to identify predictors of early diagnosis of this serious infection.

Methods

Patients with definite/possible IE, as diagnosed by the Kasr Al-Ainy IE Working Group from February 2005 through June 2016, were reviewed in this study. We compared the demographic, clinical, laboratory and imaging criteria of AE patients to non-fungal IE patients.

Results

This study included 374 patients with IE in which FE accounted for 43 cases. Aspergillus was the most common fungus (31 patients; 8.3%) in the patient group. Lack of fever and acute limb ischemia at presentation were significantly associated with AE (p < 0.001, p = 0.014, respectively). Health care associated endocarditis (HAE) and prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) were the only significant risk factors associated with AE (p < 0.001 for each). Mitral, non-valvular, and aortotomy site vegetations, as well as aortic abscess/pseudoaneurysm, were significantly associated with AE (p = 0.022, p = 0.004, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Through multivariate regression analysis, HAE, PVE, aortic abscess/pseudoaneurysm, and lack of fever were strongly linked to AE. The probability of an IE patient having AE with HAE, PVE, and aortic abscess/pseudoaneurysm, but no fever, was 0.92. In contrast, the probability of an IE patient having AE with fever, native valve IE, but no health-care associated IE and no abscess/pseudoaneurysm, was 0.003. Severe sepsis and mortality in the Aspergillus group were higher as compared to the non-fungal group (p = 0.098 and 0.097, respectively). Thirteen AE patients died during hospitalization. PVE, the use of single versus dual antifungal agents, severe heart failure, and severe sepsis were significant predictors of mortality (p = 0.008, 0.012, 0.003, and 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first study to address diagnostic criteria for AE. Through multivariate regression analysis, absence of fever, HAE, PVE, and aortic abscess/pseudoaneurysm were strong predictors of AE. Use of these criteria my lead to earlier diagnoses of AE. Early treatment of AE patients with voriconazole in combination with other antifungal agents may be possible based on the previously mentioned criteria, which may facilitate better patient outcomes.

Management of Invasive Fungal Infections in Adult Patients with Hematological Malignancies in Greece during the Financial Crisis: Challenges and Recommendations

There are concerns that the financial crisis in Greece negatively affected the management of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) among patients with hematological malignancies (HM). A working group (WG) was formed to explore the situation and make recommendations. A questionnaire was created and distributed to physicians caring for patients with HM, to gather information in a standardized manner on prescribing physicians, patient characteristics, availability of diagnostics, antifungal treatment practices and the conditions and particularities of Greek hospitals. A total of 141 physicians from 36 hematology units and laboratories located in 26 Greek hospitals participated. Regarding hospitalization conditions, only 56% reported that their patients were treated in isolated single or double bed rooms, 22% reported availability of HEPA filters, 47% reported construction works in progress, and an alarming 18% reported the presence of birds on open windows. Regarding diagnosis, only 31% reported availability of biomarkers for diagnosis of IFIs, 76% reported that CT scans were performed in a timely fashion, 42% reported prompt availability of broncho-alveolar lavage, and only 6% availability of therapeutic drug monitoring. Of concern, 26% of the responders reported non-availability of some antifungals. In conclusion, significant challenges exist for the optimal management of IFIs in patients with HM in Greece.

Vibrating Mesh Nebulisers – Can Greater Drug Delivery to the Airways and Lungs Improve Respiratory Outcomes?

Aerosols are an increasingly important mode of delivery of drugs, particularly bronchodilators, for the treatment of respiratory diseases, notably asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The most common type of nebuliser is the jet nebuliser (JN); they have been in use for more than a century but these devices can be cumbersome to use and may sometimes deliver insufficient amounts of drug. A more recent development in aerosol therapy is the vibrating mesh nebuliser (VMN) which is very user friendly and is more efficient than the JNs due to an extremely low residual volume. Scintigraphy images from studies of volunteer subjects using radio-labelled aerosol treatment show that VMN-generated aerosols deliver more drug to patients in a shorter period of time than JN-generated aerosols. Various bench, animal model and small clinical studies have shown that VMNs are more efficient than JNs in drug delivery, potentially improving clinical outcomes. These studies have included various breathing circuits used in mechanical ventilation (MV), non-invasive ventilation, high-flow nasal cannula systems and devices for spontaneously breathing patients. The efficiency of drug delivery was affected by factors including the position of the nebuliser in the circuit and humidity. Some studies have shown potential substantial savings by hospitals in the cost of MV treatments after switching from metered dose inhalers to VMNs. VMNs have also been shown to be effective for the administration of inhaled antibiotics, corticosteroids and other drugs. Larger studies of the effects of VMNs on patient outcomes are needed but they are likely to be an increasingly important means of administering therapies to a burgeoning population with respiratory disease.

Italian consensus conference for the outpatient autologous stem cell transplantation management in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the leading indication for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) worldwide. The safety and efficacy of reducing hospital stay for MM patients undergoing ASCT have been widely explored, and different outpatient models have been proposed. However, there is no agreement on the criteria for selecting patients eligible for this strategy as well as the standards for their clinical management. On the basis of this rationale, the Italian Group for Stem Cell Transplantation (GITMO) endorsed a project to develop guidelines for the management of outpatient ASCT in MM, using evidence-based knowledge and consensus-formation techniques. An expert panel convened to discuss the currently available data on the practice of outpatient ASCT management and formulated recommendations according to the supporting evidence. Evidence gaps were filled with consensus-based statements. Three main topics were addressed: (1) the identification of criteria for selecting MM patients eligible for outpatient ASCT management; (2) the definition of standard procedures for performing outpatient ASCT (model, supportive care and monitoring during the aplastic phase); (3) the definition of the standard criteria and procedures for re-hospitalization during the aplastic phase at home. Herein, we report the summary and the results of the discussion and the consensus.

Direct comparison of galactomannan performance in concurrent serum and bronchoalveolar lavage samples in immunocompromised patients at risk for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening infection mainly affecting immunocompromised patients. Early diagnosis is critical, but the diagnostic gold standard (histopathology and culture) is time consuming and cannot offer early confirmation of IPA. Fungal biomarkers like galactomannan (GM) are a promising extension to the diagnostic repertoire. However, it still remains under discussion if biomarker analysis from the site of the infection is superior to testing blood samples. We retrospectively evaluated the diagnostic performance of concurrent serum GM and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) GM (obtained within 24 h) of immunocompromised patients at high risk of IPA. Twenty-six proven/probable patients and eight patients with no IPA according to the EORTC/MSG 2008 criteria were included in this study. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic odds ratio were for BAL GM: 85%, 88%, 96%, 64% and 38.5, and for serum GM: 23%, 88%, 88%, 26% and 2.1 respectively. BAL GM proved to be significantly more sensitive for the detection of IPA compared to same-day serum GM in patients at high risk of IPA (P < 0.0001). Our data show that BAL GM testing is significantly superior to serum GM implying that diagnostic efforts should focus on specimens from the site of infection.

Identification of invasive fungal diseases in immunocompromised patients by combining an Aspergillus specific PCR with a multifungal DNA-microarray from primary clinical samples

The increasing incidence of invasive fungal diseases (IFD), most of all invasive aspergillosis (IA) in immunocompromised patients emphasises the need to improve the diagnostic tools for detection of fungal pathogens. We investigated the diagnostic performance of a multifungal DNA-microarray detecting 15 different fungi [Aspergillus, Candida, Fusarium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Scedosporium and Trichosporon species (spp.)] in addition to an Aspergillus specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Biopsies, bronchoalveolar lavage and peripheral blood samples of 133 immunocompromised patients (pts) were investigated by a multifungal DNA-microarray as well as a nested Aspergillus specific PCR assay. Patients had proven (n = 18), probable (n = 29), possible (n = 48) and no IFD (n = 38) and were mostly under antifungal therapy at the time of sampling. The results were compared to culture, histopathology, imaging and serology, respectively. For the non-Aspergillus IFD the microarray analysis yielded in all samples a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 80%. Best results for the detection of all IFD were achieved by combining DNA-microarray and Aspergillus specific PCR in biopsy samples (sensitivity 79%; specificity 71%). The molecular assays in combination identify genomic DNA of fungal pathogens and may improve identification of causative pathogens of IFD and help overcoming the diagnostic uncertainty of culture and/or histopathology findings, even during antifungal therapy.

Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis: recent developments and ongoing challenges

BACKGROUND

Invasive aspergillosis is an infection with high morbidity and mortality that affects mostly immunocompromised individuals. Early identification and targeted treatment of the infection is essential to improve survival of affected patients. The purpose of our review is to highlight the most recent developments in diagnosis and screening for invasive aspergillosis (IA) along with the challenges associated with the development and validation of novel diagnostic approaches.

METHODS

Ovid MEDLINE and The Cochrane library were searched for studies that evaluated serologic, molecular and novel methodologies for the diagnosis of IA.

RESULTS

Traditional diagnostic approaches, such as histopathology and culture, are still considered the gold standard but lack sufficient sensitivity. Newer serologic techniques, such as galactomannan (GM) and beta-glucan, have already been incorporated into clinical guidelines, but recent evidence suggests that their performance might be limited in certain clinical settings. Molecular methods, such as the Aspergillus spp. polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have not yet found their place in clinical practice mainly due to lack of standardization. Novel methodologies, such as volatile organic compound detection and lateral flow devices, have recently been developed and promise noninvasive and rapid diagnosis of aspergillosis, while diagnostic algorithms that incorporate both GM and PCR have proven to be effective in early randomized trials as screening methods and can reduce the use of antifungal agents.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of IA remains challenging. Novel methodologies and the standardization of GM and PCR might provide more reliable diagnostic tools in the future.