Publication: Survey of laboratory practices for diagnosis of fungal infection in seven Asian countries: An Asia Fungal Working Group (AFWG) initiative
Issued Date
2018-06-01
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ISSN
14602709
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2-s2.0-85047164551
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Medical mycology. Vol.56, No.4 (2018), 416-425
Suggested Citation
Ariya Chindamporn, Arunaloke Chakrabarti, Ruoyu Li, Pei Lun Sun, Ban Hock Tan, Mitzi Chua, Retno Wahyuningsih, Atul Patel, Zhengyin Liu, Yee Chun Chen, Methee Chayakulkeeree Survey of laboratory practices for diagnosis of fungal infection in seven Asian countries: An Asia Fungal Working Group (AFWG) initiative. Medical mycology. Vol.56, No.4 (2018), 416-425. doi:10.1093/mmy/myx066 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/46657
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Title
Survey of laboratory practices for diagnosis of fungal infection in seven Asian countries: An Asia Fungal Working Group (AFWG) initiative
Other Contributor(s)
Universitas Kristen Indonesia
National Taiwan University Hospital
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University
Chang Gung University
Singapore General Hospital
Peking University
Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Peking Union Medical College
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh
Cebu Institute of Medicine
Sterling Hospital
National Taiwan University Hospital
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University
Chang Gung University
Singapore General Hospital
Peking University
Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Peking Union Medical College
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh
Cebu Institute of Medicine
Sterling Hospital
Abstract
An online survey of mycology laboratories in seven Asian countries was conducted to assess the status, competence, and services available. Country representatives from the Asia Fungal Working Group (AFWG) contacted as many laboratories performing mycology diagnosis as possible in their respective countries, requesting that the laboratory heads complete the online survey. In total, 241 laboratories responded, including 71 in China, 104 in India, 11 in Indonesia, 26 in the Philippines, four in Singapore, 18 in Taiwan, and seven in Thailand. Overall, 129/241 (53.5%) surveyed mycology laboratories operate as separate designated mycology laboratories, 75/241 (31.1%) conduct regular formal staff training, 103/241 (42.7%) are accredited, and 88/157 (56.1%) participate in external quality assurance scheme (EQAS) programs. Microscopy and culture methods are available in nearly all laboratories, although few perform DNA sequencing (37/219; 16.9%) or use matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS) (27/219; 12.3%) for isolate identification. Antifungal susceptibility testing is performed in 142/241 (58.9%) laboratories, mainly for yeasts. The most commonly performed nonculture diagnostic is cryptococcal antigen testing (66 laboratories), followed by galactomannan testing (55), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis (37), and beta-D-glucan testing (24). Therapeutic drug monitoring is conducted in 21 laboratories. There is almost no access to advanced diagnostic tests, like galactomannan, β-D-glucan, and PCR, in the surveyed laboratories in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. These results highlight the need for development of quality laboratories, accreditation and training of manpower in existing laboratories, and access to advanced non-culture-based diagnostic tests to facilitate the diagnosis of fungal infections in Asia.