Evaluation of a Prototype of a Novel Galactomannan Sandwich Assay Using the VIDAS Technology for the Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis.

Objectives: To evaluate the analytical and clinical performance of a prototype of a VIDAS Galactomannan (GM) unitary test (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) and compare to that of the Platelia™ Ag assay (Bio-Rad, CA, USA).

Methods: Repeatability, reproducibility, and freeze-thaw stability of VIDASGM were evaluated. Sera from patients at risk of IA were concurrently tested with both the VIDASGM and Platelia™ Ag assays.

Dermatophytes and Dermatophytosis in Cluj-Napoca, Romania-A 4-Year Cross-Sectional Study.

Dermatophytes are filamentous keratinophilic fungi which affect nails, skin, and hair. Their variable distribution in the world justifies local epidemiological studies. During recent decades, few studies have been published regarding the epidemiology and etiology of dermatophytosis in Romania.

Serodiagnosis of Extraintestinal Amebiasis: Retrospective Evaluation of the Diagnostic Performance of the Bordier® ELISA Kit.

Soluble antigens from an axenic culture of were used to develop a commercial ELISA kit to quantify anti- antibodies in sera of patients with extraintestinal amebiasis in non-endemic settings. The diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of the test were assessed retrospectively using 131 human serum samples with amoebic serologic status available. They were selected according to their results in immunofluorescence (IFAT) and were separated in 2 sample categories: 64 sera with positive results by IFAT and 67 with negative results by IFAT.

Direct Molecular Diagnosis of Aspergillosis and CYP51A Profiling from Respiratory Samples of French Patients.

Background: Microbiological diagnosis of aspergillosis and triazole resistance is limited by poor culture yield. To better estimate this shortcoming, we compared culture and molecular detection of A. fumigatus in respiratory samples from French patients at risk for aspergillosis.