Update on the diagnosis of invasive fungal infection

Abstract

The number of patients at risk of suffering invasive fungal infection (IFI) is increasing. Because of its high mortality, new rapid and accurate diagnostic tools are needed. Last advances in invasive candidiasis diagnosis comprise Peptide Nucleic Acid Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (PNA-FISH), direct MALDI-TOF or multiplex acid nucleic testing. While all of them rely in positive blood cultures, T2Candida uses PCR coupled with T2Magnetic resonance detection directly in whole blood, allowing detection of 1-3 UFC/mL of Candida in about four hours. Beyond galactomannan (GM), novelties in IFI caused by molds include the international standardization of PCR techniques, with several commercial kits available. A combination of GM and PCR appears to be a good diagnostic strategy for invasive aspergillosis. PCR coupled to electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry and detection of volatile organic compounds in exhaled air by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry are other promising approaches to IFI diagnostic that still need to be validated.