Diagnostic value of galactomannan antigen test in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid sample from suspected patients of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is mainly caused by Aspergillus fumigatus and other Aspergillus species. Galactomannan (GM) is a polysaccharide antigen that exists primarily in the cell walls of Aspergillus species. GM may be released into the blood and other body fluids even in the early stages of Aspergillus invasion; therefore, detection of the GM antigen level can be useful in making an early diagnosis of IPA.

Rhinocerebral zygomycosis with pulmonary aspergillosis in a non-HIV-infected patient: an unusual case report from India.

Zygomycosis and aspergillosis are two serious opportunistic fungal infections that are commonly seen in immunocompromised patients. Since both these fungi invade vessels of the arterial system, an early and rapid diagnosis by direct examination of KOH mounts of the relevant clinical sample can confirm the diagnosis. Here, we present an unusual case of a diabetic patient who presented with nasal blockade and bleeding for 2 months, along with occasional haemoptysis for 15 days. On investigation, the patient was diagnosed with a case of rhinocerebral zygomycosis and was treated with amphotericin B (1 mg kg(-1) day(-1)), which was subsequently replaced with liposomal amphotericin B (2 mg kg(-1) day(-1)). However, the patient did not completely respond to therapy as haemoptysis continued. Further investigations revealed the presence of Aspergillus flavus in respiratory specimens. Thus, a final diagnosis of rhinocerebral zygomycosis with pulmonary aspergillosis in a non-HIV-infected patient was made, but due to infection of two vital sites by these fungi, the patient could not be saved.