- Quantitative analysis of galactomannan levels in either bronchoalveolar lavage or blood that is used to diagnose invasive aspergillosis
Pathophysiology
- Galactomannan is a component of the cell wall of Aspergillus that is released when the organism is actively dividing
Interpretation
- Usual cuttoff is 0.5, but the higher it is, the more likely it is to be true positive
- Bronchoalveolar lavage more sensitive than serum
- False-positives in piperacillin-tazobactam, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, Penicillium (Talaromyces), Histoplasma, Fusarium, Paecilomyces, possibly Nocardia
