The impact of anti-mould prophylaxis on Aspergillus PCR blood testing for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis

M Cruciani, P L White, C Mengoli, J Löffler, C O Morton, L Klingspor, D Buchheidt, J Maertens, W J Heinz, T R Rogers, B Weinbergerova, A Warris, D E A Lockhart, B Jones, C Cordonnier, J P Donnelly, R A Barnes, Fungal PCR Initiative

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The performance of the galactomannan enzyme immunoassay (GM-EIA) is impaired in patients receiving mould-active antifungal therapy. The impact of mould-active antifungal therapy on Aspergillus PCR testing needs to be determined.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the influence of anti-mould prophylaxis (AMP) on the performance of PCR blood testing to aid the diagnosis of proven/probable invasive aspergillosis (IA).

METHODS: As part of the systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 cohort studies investigating Aspergillus PCR blood testing in 2912 patients at risk of IA, subgroup analysis was performed to determine the impact of AMP on the accuracy of Aspergillus PCR. The incidence of IA was calculated in patients receiving and not receiving AMP. The impact of two different positivity thresholds (requiring either a single PCR positive test result or ≥2 consecutive PCR positive test results) on accuracy was evaluated. Meta-analytical pooling of sensitivity and specificity was performed by logistic mixed-model regression.

RESULTS: In total, 1661 (57%) patients received prophylaxis. The incidence of IA was 14.2%, significantly lower in the prophylaxis group (11%-12%) compared with the non-prophylaxis group (18%-19%) (P < 0.001). The use of AMP did not affect sensitivity, but significantly decreased specificity [single PCR positive result threshold: 26% reduction (P = 0.005); ≥2 consecutive PCR positive results threshold: 12% reduction (P = 0.019)].

CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to its influence on GM-EIA, AMP significantly decreases Aspergillus PCR specificity, without affecting sensitivity, possibly as a consequence of AMP limiting the clinical progression of IA and/or leading to false-negative GM-EIA results, preventing the classification of probable IA using the EORTC/MSGERC definitions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)635-638
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Volume76
Issue number3
Early online date29 Dec 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021

Bibliographical note

Acknowledgements

This research was presented as a poster at the 9th Trends in Medical Mycology Conference, Nice, France, 11–14 October 2019 (Cruciani et al. Potential impact of anti-mold prophylaxis on Aspergillus PCR blood testing for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis: an FPCRI systematic review and meta-analysis. Abstract No. P148).

Funding
This study was conducted as part of our routine work.

Keywords

  • polymerase chain reaction
  • prevention
  • aspergillosis
  • laboratory test finding
  • european organization for research and treatment of cancer
  • mold
  • invasive
  • antifungal agents
  • aspergillus
  • diagnosis

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