Diagnosis, classification, and therapeutic interventions for sinopulmonary Aspergillosis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Sinopulmonary aspergillosis represents a diverse collection of allergic, invasive, and chronic sinus and respiratory conditions. These diseases can affect patients with and without immune impairment and in some cases may be life-threatening.

Areas covered: We review the diagnosis, classification, and therapeutic options available to treat sinopulmonary aspergillosis and look ahead to emerging diagnostic and therapeutic options that may soon play an important role in clinical practice.

Expert commentary: Histopathology and tissue culture remain the gold standard for the diagnosis of invasive sinopulmonary aspergillosis, but several new molecular detection methods have recently emerged, including various PCR-based platforms, MALDI-TOF, and lateral flow assays. We examine these methodologies as well as the barriers associated with the standardization, validation, and implementation. We also explore the pipeline of antifungal agents in development to treat sinopulmonary aspergillosis.

KEYWORDS:

• PCR
• isavuconazole
• lateral flow assay
• allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
• magnetic resonance
• voriconazole

Declaration of interest

MW. McCarthy has served as a consultant to Allergan. TJ. Walsh has served as a consultant to Allergan, Actavis, Astellas, Cubist, Theravance, The Medicines Company, Novartis, Merck, Pfizer, ContraFect, Drais, iCo, MethylGene, Sigma Tau and Trius.

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.