The diagnosis of invasive fungal diseases (IFD) based on clinical, radiological, and conventional microbiological findings is not reliable and is often delayed. Non-culture-based methods with higher sensitivity and specificity may reduce diagnostic time and result in decreased IFD morbidity and mortality. These methods are now increasingly used to manage patients at risk of IFD. Among available biomarkers, fungal antigens have been investigated as an aid to early diagnosis and are predominantly used as screening tests to prompt antifungal treatment mainly in patients with hematological malignancies. The revised version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) consensus definitions includes some of these biological markers (galactomannan, 1,3-beta-D-glucan, cryptococcus antigen).

CEITEC Central European Institute of Technology Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic

Department of Internal Medicine Hematology and Oncology Masaryk University and University Hospital Brno Jihlavska 20 Brno 62500 Czech Republic

Department of Microbiology University Hospital Brno Brno Czech Republic

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