The diagnostic value of serum latex agglutination test for pulmonary cryptococcosis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide antigen latex agglutination test (LA) for pulmonary cryptococcosis. METHODS: Serum and lung biopsy specimens of 27 patients, who were suspected of having pulmonary cryptococcosis based on clinical presentations and imaging features, were collected from July 2000 to July 2007 in the First Hospital of Peking University. LA test and histopathological examination were performed in all the patients. RESULTS: Histopathological examination confirmed pulmonary cryptococcosis in 9 cases, all of whom were positive for serum LA test. The other 18 cases were confirmed to have no cryptococcosis and all of them were negative for serum LA test. Therefore, the sensitivity and specificity of LA test were both 100%. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic value of serum LA test for pulmonary cryptococcosis is high.