Abstract
INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of combined Aspergillus-specific IgG antibody and galactomannan antigen testing in nonneutropenic patients with pulmonary aspergillosis. METHODS: A total of 561 patients were included in the dataset for the analysis. RESULTS: The Asp IgG positivity rate was significantly greater in participants ultimately diagnosed with pulmonary aspergillosis than in the control group (p < 0.01). Aspergillus antibody IgG had diagnostic significance for pulmonary aspergillosis (p < 0.01), with an AUC of 0.748 (or 0.738 excluding ABPA), p < 0.01. The optimal diagnostic cut-off for Aspergillus antibody IgG was ≥102.95 U/L. The results of the combined analysis of Aspergillus antibody IgG and the GM test revealed that negative test results for both Aspergillus antibody IgG and GM could significantly increase the diagnostic specificity, which could reach 98.3% (or 97.2% excluding ABPA). DISCUSSION: In conclusion, for clinical patients without neutropenia, Aspergillus antibody IgG in the peripheral blood is a valuable diagnostic method for pulmonary Aspergillus infection. Combining this method with the GM test can significantly increase diagnostic specificity.