Systemic infections with Candida sp and Aspergillus sp in immunocompromised patients with hematological malignancies: Current serological and molecular diagnostic methods

Within recent years, novel serological and molecular methods have been deve loped to improve the early diagnosis of invasive fungal infections especial ly in patients with malignant hematological diseases being at highest risk of developing these life-threatening infections. Early diagnosis is essenti al for adequate therapeutic management, which, however, often remains diffi cult since the diagnostic tools clinically used either lack specificity or sensitivity, or both at worst. The clinical value, the advantages and remai ning problems of recently developed, more sensitive and specific serologica l assays and molecular methods are reviewed. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger A G, Basel.