PCR testing in blood and lung washings to monitor invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
PCR for Aspergillus Fumigatus in Blood and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid for Monitoring Cases of Invasive Aspergillosis: What is Its Prognostic Value
This will test whether repeated PCR tests for Aspergillus fumigatus in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid can track treatment response in adults with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Strasbourg, France Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Strasbourg) |
| Trial ID | NCT07313527 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational retrospective cohort includes adults with probable or proven invasive pulmonary aspergillosis who had a positive Aspergillus fumigatus PCR on serum or bronchoalveolar lavage performed at Strasbourg University Hospital between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2024. Investigators will chart changes in PCR results over the course of antifungal therapy and correlate PCR positivity and quantitative trends with clinical outcomes, serum galactomannan, and survival. Patients who lacked follow-up PCRs, received effective antifungal treatment before the first PCR, or died within 72 hours of treatment start are excluded. No experimental interventions are given; the study analyzes existing clinical and laboratory data from routine care.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18) with a probable or proven diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis who had a positive Aspergillus fumigatus PCR on serum or bronchoalveolar lavage at CHU Strasbourg between 2017 and 2024.
Not a fit: Patients who received effective antifungal therapy before their first PCR, lacked subsequent PCR testing, had non-fumigatus Aspergillus infections, or died within 72 hours of starting treatment are unlikely to benefit from the study findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, clinicians might use PCR trends to tell whether antifungal treatment is working and adjust care sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior work has combined Aspergillus PCR with galactomannan to support diagnosis and monitoring, but few studies have followed PCR level changes during treatment and the prognostic value remains limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged 18 years or older * Positive Aspergillus fumigatus PCR on serum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at diagnosis, performed at the Strasbourg University Hospital between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2024. Exclusion Criteria: * No subsequent Aspergillus fumigatus PCR (\>24h) * No diagnosis of probable or proven invasive aspergillosis (EORTC/MSGERC 2020 criteria) * Effective antifungal treatment against Aspergillus initiated before the first PCR * Death \<72h after starting antifungal treatment
Where this trial is running
Strasbourg
- Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales - CHU de Strasbourg - France — Strasbourg, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: baptiste Hoellinger, MD
- Email: baptiste.hoellinger@chru-strasbourg.fr
- Phone: 33 3 69 55 05 45
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.