Galactomannan Bronchoalveolar Fluid - Test, Procedure & Cost

The test, as mentioned above, is employed to detect a fatal condition called invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

This test is done using the lavage samples to help in the early detection of invasive aspergillus. This is done along with other diagnostic tests.

What is Galactomannan?

It is an element of the fungal cell wall; a sandwich-type ELISA can detect it in blood samples, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

What is Aspergilloma?

Pulmonary conditions such as emphysema, tuberculosis, and sarcoidosis form lung spaces. When aspergillus fungus affects the lung cavities, this condition is called aspergillomas.

In early stages, it may not produce any symptoms, but with time, it may worsen and may show signs like 

• hemoptysis
• Constant sneezing
• Tachycardia
• weight loss without a cause
• Feeling tired

Causes of aspergillosis

The fungus is grown on dead leaves, stored grains, compost piles, or other decaying vegetation. It may also be present on the leaves of marijuana plants.

What are the various types of aspergillosis

• Allergic pulmonary aspergillosis-  It is a common type of allergy to fungus
• Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis - 

It is an infection sed by pneumonia.

What is Infective aspergillosis?

It is a fatal infection along with pneumonia. 

What's ELISA? 

ELISA stands for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and is used to detect and measure antibodies, proteins, and hormones of the body's immune system that produces antibodies to fight against infection. 

Types Of ELISA

ELISA tests can be divided into three types depending upon the different styles used for binding between antigens and antibodies- 

1. Indirect ELISA – Antigen is  carpeted to the microtiter well 
2. Sandwich ELISA – Antibody is  carpeted on the microtiter well 
3. Competitive ELISA – Microtiter well, which is antigen-carpeted, is filled with the antigen-antibody admixture.

The procedure of ELISA

It is one of the most accessible blood tests that can be carried out. It's rapid-fire, quick, and the case's blood sample. An alternate antibody specific to the primary antibody is added,  generally conjugated with an enzyme.  Eventually, the substrate is added. The enzyme converts the substrate to form a  multicolored pra, which a spectrophotometer can measure.