Abstract
The significance of the isolation of Aspergillus fumigatus from sputum may be difficult to interpret because of the frequent occurrence of this fungus in the atmosphere. Criteria are given for classifying positive sputa into two groups, `fungus scanty' and `fungus abundant', on the basis of cultural and microscopical findings. A relationship between sputum findings thus classified and the occurrence of Aspergillus antibodies in the patient's serum is demonstrated. The diagnostic importance of direct microscopical examination of sputum is noted.
The precipitation patterns of sera to the unstandardized antigenic extracts of A. fumigatus at present available vary greatly. An arbitrary but practical classification of sera is suggested, based on the `reactivity', or number of precipitation lines produced, and the `range', or number of antigenic extracts with which the serum reacts.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- BROENNESTAM R., HALLBERG T. PRECIPITINS AGAINST AN ANTIGEN EXTRACT OF ASPERGILLUS FUMIGATUS IN PATIENTS WITH ASPERGILLOSIS OR OTHER PULMONARY DISEASES. Acta Med Scand. 1965 Apr;177:385–392. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- CAMPBELL M. J., CLAYTON Y. M. BRONCHOPULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS. A CORRELATION OF THE CLINICAL AND LABORATORY FINDINGS IN 272 PATIENTS INVESTIGATED FOR BRONCHOPULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1964 Feb;89:186–196. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1964.89.2.186. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- LONGBOTTOM J. L., PEPYS J. PULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS: DIAGNOSTIC AND IMMUNOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ANTIGENS AND C-SUBSTANCE IN ASPERGILLUS FUMIGATUS. J Pathol Bacteriol. 1964 Jul;88:141–151. doi: 10.1002/path.1700880119. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- ORIE N. G., DE VRIES G. A., KIKSTRA A. Growth of Aspergillus in the human lung. Aspergilloma and aspergillosis. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1960 Nov;82:649–662. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1960.82.5.649. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- STALLYBRASS F. C. THE PRECIPITIN TEST IN HUMAN SYSTEMIC ASPERGILLOSIS. Mycopathol Mycol Appl. 1963 Dec 30;21:272–278. doi: 10.1007/BF02052580. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]