Diagnostic performance and longitudinal analysis of fungal biomarkers in COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis

Er B., ER A. G., GÜLMEZ KIVANÇ D., Sahin T. K., METAN G., SARIBAŞ Z., ...More

Heliyon, vol.9, no.11, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 9 Issue: 11
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21721
  • Journal Name: Heliyon
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Keywords: CAPA, Joint model, Lateral flow assay, Screening
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Objectives: Galactomannan lateral flow assay (GM-LFA) is a reliable test for COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) diagnosis. We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of GM-LFA with different case definitions, the association between the longitudinal measurements of serum GM-ELISA, GM-LFA, and the risk of death. Methods: Serum and nondirected bronchial lavage (NBL) samples were periodically collected. The sensitivity and specificity analysis for GM-LFA was done in different time periods. Longitudinal analysis was done with the joint model framework. Results: A total of 207 patients were evaluated. On the day of CAPA diagnosis, serum GM-LFA had a sensitivity of 42 % (95 % CI: 23–63) and specificity of 82 % (95 % CI: 78–84), while NBL GM-LFA had a sensitivity of 73 % (95 % CI: 45–92), specificity of 85 % (95 % CI: 76–91) for CAPA. Sensitivity decreased through the following days in both samples. Univariate joint model analysis showed that increasing GM-LFA and GM-ELISA levels were associated with increased mortality, and that effect remained same with serum GM-ELISA in multivariate joint model analysis. Conclusion: GM-LFA, particularly in NBL samples, seems to be a reliable method for CAPA diagnosis. For detecting patients with higher risk of mortality, longitudinal measurement of serum GM-ELISA can be useful.