Approach to the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis and candidiasis.

Detection of galactomannan antigen in serum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is useful for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis, but the current serologic tests are not useful. (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan can be detected in the serum of patients who have aspergillosis, candidiasis, and a few other mold infections, but false-positive results limit its reliability for diagnosis. None of these methods is useful for diagnosis of zygomycosis and certain other less common mold infections. This article focuses on the detection of antigen and beta-D-glucan for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis and candidiasis.