New Device Detects Deadly Lung Disease caused by Fungus

A new inexpensive device can help diagnose fatal lung disease, researchers at the University of Exeter say.

Pulmonary aspergillosis is caused by the fungus Aspergillus. The disease usually occurs in patients with a weak immune system and is difficult to diagnose.

Aspergillus is a common type of fungus and its strains rarely cause disease in humans. People with weak immune systems are at a high risk of developing a serious type of infection Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. In this disease, the infection spreads from lungs to brain, heart and skin. Common symptoms include fever and chills, nosebleeds, bleeding in lung etc.

Researchers say that Invasive aspergillosis is a leading cause of death in acute leukaemia patients and those receiving bone marrow transplant. 

"Individuals with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis are often suffering from complex medical conditions and the symptoms, which include raised temperature, breathlessness, chest pain and fatigue, could be attributable to a number of other conditions. At present, it can take several days to identify the disease correctly due to the lack of accurate diagnostic tests, and the patient's health deteriorates significantly in the absence of appropriate treatment," said Professor Chris Thornton from the University of Exeter.

The lateral-flow device uses a blood sample to detect highly specific monoclonal antibody, which is a marker of the disease. The device is expected to cost just £10 per test and so, could be used in routine hospital settings. Since the device looks for specific markers, researchers believe that it could help doctors identify patients with active Aspergillus infection.

"The low cost, speed, ease-of-use and compatibility of the new device with standard hospital procedures means that the disease can be quickly and accurately monitored at the point-of-care using a simple blood test or with fluids collected during lung biopsy," Thornton added, according to a news release.

Thornton and colleagues have received funding from US National Institutes of Health, HEIF, private investors, and a global pharmaceuticals company.