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Lateral-Flow Device for Diagnosis of Fungal Infection

  • Advances in Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Infections (U Binder, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a life-threatening complication of haematological malignancy and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation caused by the ubiquitous fungus Aspergillus. Current diagnosis of IA is multifaceted relying on data from clinical, radiological, and microbiological sources. The detection of Aspergillus biomarkers provides strategies both to pre-empt and to exclude disease, but the choice of biomarker assays is limited, requiring specialist equipment and training. This review examines recent advances in the accurate diagnosis of IA through the development of an Aspergillus lateral-flow device (LFD) incorporating a monoclonal antibody, JF5, which detects an antigenic marker of active infection. Recent trials using bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and serum samples from humans and from animal models of disease, have demonstrated the utility of the LFD as a rapid and user-friendly adjunct test for the quick and accurate diagnosis of pulmonary infections.

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The comments and conclusions in this report are the thoughts and observations of the author.

Conflict of Interest

The author developed the Aspergillus monoclonal antibody JF5 and the Aspergillus LFD described in this article, and is the CEO, Technical Director, and a shareholder of the University of Exeter spin-out company ISCA Diagnostics Limited, which has been granted patents, and may receive royalties for the products listed above.

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  1. Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, Devon, UK

    Christopher R. Thornton

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Correspondence to Christopher R. Thornton.

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Thornton, C.R. Lateral-Flow Device for Diagnosis of Fungal Infection. Curr Fungal Infect Rep 7, 244–251 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-013-0138-x

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