Biology

Complement fixation test

Virology

Serology

Aspergillosis

Immunoglobulin E

Immunology

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

Microbiology

Medicine

Antibody

Aspergillus

Current Fungal Infection Reports

To understand the role of antibody detection in the diagnosis of infections caused by filamentous fungi (molds). Rapid and accurate profiling of infection-causing fungal pathogens remains a significant challenge in modern health care. Classical fungal culture and serology continue to be relevant even though over the past few decades, antigen (biomarker) assays such as ELISA and lateral flow devices have been developed and validated. This article reviews the current antibody detection systems (serological tests) for the diagnosis of mold infections associated with pulmonary disease and introduces new developments. Classic and more recently developed serological techniques and their performance characteristics, including immunodiffusion, complement fixation, and ELISA. The diseases covered are allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, invasive aspergillosis, mucormycosis, diseases caused by filamentous basidiomycetes, infection caused by Talaromyces marneffei and pythiosis. Serology remains a cornerstone for fungal diagnostic testing.

Role of Serological Tests in the Diagnosis of Mold Infections