Paper II
2018 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) · 40 marks · 120 min

Question

Laboratory diagnosis of aspergillosis

Q42 marksShort Notes

Answer

Laboratory diagnosis of aspergillosis (Aspergillus species, most commonly A. fumigatus):

  • Direct microscopy (KOH mount) — septate hyphae with characteristic acute-angle (45°) branching, distinguishing from the wider-angle, non-septate hyphae of Mucorales.
  • Culture — on Sabouraud dextrose agar; rapid growth with characteristic conidiophore/conidial head morphology allowing species identification.
  • Galactomannan antigen test (serum/BAL) — useful for diagnosing invasive aspergillosis in high-risk neutropenic patients.
  • (1,3)-beta-D-glucan — a less specific fungal cell-wall marker.
  • Histopathology — demonstrating tissue invasion with angioinvasion in invasive disease.
  • High-resolution CT chest — characteristic findings (e.g., “halo sign” in early invasive disease).
  • Total and specific IgE — for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), a hypersensitivity rather than invasive process.

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