Table 4.

Sensitivity of KOH smear and PCR in respiratory specimens (sensitivity shown as percentage, 95% confidence intervals shown in parentheses).

	All Respiratory Specimens	Sputum	Lower Respiratory Tract Specimens	p-Value *
KOH/Calcofluor White Smear	46.7	39.1	49.3	0.47
	(36.2–57.4)	(20.5–61.2)	(37.0–61.6)
	42/90	9/23	33/67
PCR	67.6	45.5	76.9	0.12
	(50.1–81.5)	(18.1–75.4)	(55.9–90.3)
	25/37	5/11	20/26

Bronchoalveolar lavage Aspergillus galactomannan was positive in 7 of 19 specimens (Sensitivity 36.8% (95% CI, 17.2–61.4)). * Comparison between sputum and lower respiratory tract specimens (tracheal secretions, bronchial washings, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid).