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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffDiagnosing aspergillosis can be difficult. Aspergillus is common in the environment and is sometimes found in the saliva and sputum of healthy people. What's more, it's hard to distinguish aspergillus from other molds under the microscope, and symptoms of the infection are similar to those of conditions such as tuberculosis.
To arrive at an accurate diagnosis, your doctor is likely to use one or more of the following tests:
- Imaging tests. A chest X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan — a type of X-ray that produces more detailed images than conventional X-rays do — can usually reveal an aspergilloma as well as characteristic signs of invasive and allergic aspergillosis.
- Sputum stain and culture. In this test, a sample of your sputum is stained with a dye and checked for the presence of aspergillus filaments. The specimen is then placed in something that encourages the mold to grow.
- Tissue and blood tests. Diagnosing allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis usually requires skin and blood tests. For the skin test, a small amount of aspergillus antigen is injected into your forearm. If you have antibodies to the mold in your bloodstream, you'll develop a hard, red bump at the injection site. Blood tests look for high levels of certain antibodies, indicating an allergic response.
- Biopsy. Examining a sample of tissue from your lungs or sinuses under a microscope is usually necessary to confirm a diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis.
- Stevens DA. Aspergillosis. In: Goldman L, et al., eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/126486890-3/0/1492/0.html. Accessed March 15, 2009.
- Aspergillosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/aspergillosis_gi.html. Accessed March 15, 2009.
- Davies SF, et al. Fungal infections. In: Mason RJ, et al. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: W.B. Saunders; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/126486890-4/817667210/1288/304.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-0327-0..50037-9--cesec55_2038. Accessed March 15, 2009.
- Handa S. Aspergillosis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/126486890-5/817668274/1701/64.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50004-5--subchapter59_1265. Accessed March 15, 2009.
- Rosenow EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 20, 2009.
