{Reference Type}: Comparative Study {Title}: Respiratory specimens and the diagnostic accuracy of Aspergillus lateral flow assays (LFA-IMMY™): real-life data from a multicentre study. {Author}: Lass-Flörl C;Lo Cascio G;Nucci M;Camargo Dos Santos M;Colombo AL;Vossen M;Willinger B; {Journal}: Clin Microbiol Infect {Volume}: 25 {Issue}: 12 {Year}: Dec 2019 {Factor}: 13.31 {DOI}: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.08.009 {Abstract}: OBJECTIVE: Proper diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis is challenging because conventional methods lack sensitivity and are complicated by time-consuming incubation processes. To meet the requirement for early diagnosis the new Aspergillus-specific point-of-care test LFA-IMMY™ was evaluated with respect to the ability to accurately detect Aspergillus in bronchoalveolar fluids and sputa, and to clarify the potential of cross-reactivity with other fungal pathogens.
METHODS: Respiratory specimens (n = 398) from non-selected patients (n = 390) underwent either fungal microscopy, culture or both before Aspergillus lateral flow assay (LFA-IMMY) testing.
RESULTS: For Aspergillus culture- and microscopy-positive samples, sensitivity (48/52) and specificity (44/48) were 92% (95% CI 8.0%-9.7%) and 91% (95% CI 7.9%-9.7%), respectively; cross-reactivity was documented with non-Aspergillus pathogens.
CONCLUSIONS: LFA-IMMY is a reliable diagnostic tool for the detection of Aspergillus in respiratory samples.