Common variable immunodeficiency patients display elevated plasma levels of granulocyte activation markers elastase and myeloperoxidase.

Common variable immunodeficiency disorders (CVIDs) represent a group of primary immunodeficiency diseases characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia and dysfunctional immune response to invading pathogens. Previous studies have indicated that CVID is associated with microbial translocation and systemic myeloid cell activation. The goal of this study was to determine whether patients with CVID display elevated systemic levels of markers of granulocyte activation and whether the levels are further influenced by intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) infusions.

Rapid detection and identification of mucormycetes in bronchoalveolar lavage samples from immunocompromised patients with pulmonary infiltrates by use of high-resolution melt analysis.

Rapid differential diagnostics of pulmonary infiltrates suspected of invasive fungal disease in an immunocompromised host and early initiation of effective antifungal therapy are crucial for patient outcomes. There are no serological tests available to detect mucormycetes; therefore, PCR-based methods are highly suitable. We validated our previously published PCR followed by high-resolution melt analysis (PCR/HRMA) to detect Rhizopus spp.

[Detection and identification of filamentous fungi causing mycoses using molecular genetic methods].

Methods of molecular genetics offer rapid and sensitive detection and identification of fungal pathogens. The currently used methods are based mainly on PCR. With regard to the ubiquitous presence of fungi, it is important to prevent contamination during the whole process, from sampling to laboratory analyses.

[Invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients with focus on aspergillosis and its causative agents].

Invasive fungal diseases (IFD) are a life-threatening infectious complications in immunocompromised patients and are associated with high rate of morbidity and mortality. The most common invasive mycosis in patients who underwent an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is invasive aspergilosis (IA), most frequently caused by the clinically dominant species Aspergillus fumigatus and, rarely, also by Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus niger. In recent years, other related Aspergillus species were also reported to cause IFD, phenotypically similar to A.