Evaluation of Exhaled Breath Condensate in the Diagnosis of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic potential of biomarkers for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in exhaled breath condensate.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised patients. The poor prognosis of the disease is partly attributed to difficulties encountered with the diagnosis of this infection. Invasive sampling procedures are often precluded in these patients. In addition, conventional diagnostic techniques lack sensitivity. Recently there has been increasing interest in the investigation of the lungs by noninvasive means including measurement of biomarkers in exhaled breath (e.g. NO) and those found in the cooled and condensed exhalate,termed EBC. It has been demonstrated that a measurable fraction of the EBC in healthy subjects is derived from aerosolized airway lining fluid. The presence of biomarkers for IPA will be investigated in EBC of patients with IPA, compared to controls.

Inclusion Criteria:

• hospitalisation in the hematology or intensive care department
• age > 16 years
• informed consent
• proven or probable IPA (EORTC/ MSG criteria)
• galactomannan positivity in BAL or serum

Exclusion Criteria:

• age < 16 years