Specimen:

Serum

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

1-3 mL serum
 - OR -
1-3 mL BAL (bronc lavage) in sterile screw top tube

Rejection Criteria:

Lipemic, icteric, or hemolyzed specimens.   Specimens that have been 
stored at ambient temperature.  Specimens that have been stored at 2 to 
8 degrees C for >5 days.  If storage longer than 5 days is needed, 
samples should be frozen at -70 degrees C.  Unless indicated as stored 
frozen, the specimen will be rejected if the draw date is >5 days from 
receipt at reference laboratory.

Analytic Time:

24 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

Reference Range:

The reference range is an index of <0.5. Numerical index values will be 
reported.

Patients with an index of ≥ 0.5 are considered to be positive for 
galactomannan antigen.

Patients with an index of <0.5 are considered to be negative for 
galactomannan antigen.

Specimens testing positive will be retested to confirm the positive 
result.

Comments:

The Aspergillus Galactomannan EIA is a test, when used in conjunction 
with other diagnostic procedures, such asmicrobiological culture, 
histological examination of biopsy specimens, and radiographic evidence 
that can be used to aid in the diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis. 
Twice weekly monitoring of neutropenic patients is often recommended in 
the peer-reviewed literature to obtain maximum diagnostic utility of 
the assay.

Test
Limitations:

A negative test result cannot rule out the diagnosis of Invasive 
Aspergillosis.

Patients at risk for Invasive Aspergillosis should be tested twice per 
week.

If a positive result is obtained, a second specimen should be collected 
and sent for testing immediately.

The performance of the Aspergillus Galactomannan EIA has not been 
evaluated with neonatal specimens.

The Aspergillus Galactomannan EIA may exhibit reduced detection in 
patients with chronic granulomatous disease and Job’s Syndrome.

The concomitant use of mold-active, anti fungal therapy in some 
patients with Invasive Aspergillosis may result in reduced sensitivity 
of the Aspergillus Galactomannan EIA.

There are reports in the literature of positive galactomannan test 
results in patients receiving piperacillin/tazobactam, therefore, 
results in these patients should be interpreted with caution and 
confirmed with other diagnostic methods.

There are reports in the literature of positive galactomannan test 
results in patients with intestinal mucositis caused by chemotherapy 
and irradiation, which allows for extra absorption of dietary 
galactomannan.

Methodology:

Enzyme Immunoassay

CPT Code:

87305