Cross-reactivity in the Platelia™ Aspergillus enzyme immunoassay caused by blastomycosis

Abstract

It is well known that cross reactions with other fungal pathogens including Histoplasma capsulatum can occur with the use of the Platelia™ Aspergillus galactomannan assay. We report two patients with confirmed blastomycosis whose bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid tested positive for Aspergillus galactomannan despite no evidence of aspergillosis.

Keywords:

• galactomannan
• blastomycosis
• cross-reaction

Acknowledgements

This work was partly supported by a VA Career Development Award (CDA-2) to C. A. Hage.

Declaration of interest: Dr. L.J. Wheat is an employee of MiraVista Diagnostics. The other authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

This paper was first published online on Early Online on 21 September 2010.