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Antigen detection in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for diagnosis of fungal pneumonia

Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to describe important findings published during the past 18 months using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for diagnosis of pulmonary mycoses. Recent findings Clinical studies and meta-analysis have established a high sensitivity and specificity for Aspergillus galactomannan testing of BAL specimens for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis, superior to that observed with other diagnostic methods. Similar findings have been reported in histoplasmosis and blastomycosis. Summary Fungal antigen testing of BAL specimens is recommended if bronchoscopy is performed for diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates in patient groups at risk for aspergillosis or the endemic mycoses if the diagnosis cannot be established by evaluation of sputum specimens or detection of antigen in the urine or serum.