Candida in the respiratory tract potentially triggers galactomannan positivity in nonhematological patients

Abstract

BAL fluid samples from critically ill patients shared a rate of 29% false-positive galactomannan results. We aimed to determine whether Candida species abundance in BAL fluid causes galactomannan (GM) positivity. A total of 89 Candida culture-positive BAL fluid samples from patients without suspicion of invasive aspergillosis (IA) were analyzed. GM results were correlated with Candida species abundance, Candida species quantity, and patient data. Candida species quantities of 104/ml and Candida glabrata abundance were significantly associated with positive GM results. The added diagnostic value of GM in BAL fluid for diagnosing IA in critically ill patients is limited.