Data analysis was performed with the softwares spss version 10.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and stata version 9.0 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, USA). In addition check details to the cut-off point of 1.5 that was originally recommended by the manufacturer of the GM Platelia kit, 1.0, 0.7 and 0.5 cut-off points were also used to calculate sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values. Calculations were made separately for single positive

values and at least two consecutive positive results (within 1 week) as well as classifying the data as proven plus probable cases or proven plus probable plus possible cases. A total of 83 hospitalisation episodes were included in the study; however, 25 episodes were excluded from analysis because of the death of the patients soon after their inclusion in the study (n = 8), neutropenia <10 days (n = 7), absence of neutropenia (n = 6), problems with the venous access route (n = 1) and short period of hospitalisation (n = 3). Fifty-eight hospitalisation

episodes in 45 patients were eligible for final analysis (Table 1). The underlying haematological malignancy was acute myeloblastic leukaemia in 35 patients, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in six patients, chronic myelocytic leukaemia-blastic selleck inhibitor transformation in two patients, biphenotypical leukaemia in one patient and high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma in one patient. According to the EORTC-MSG case definitions, one patient had proven IA (sinopulmonary aspergillosis). The diagnosis was confirmed by the demonstration of invading hyphae in the necrotic specimen taken from the lateral Dolutegravir manufacturer wall of the nose. Probable IA was

diagnosed in four and possible IA was diagnosed in 20 episodes. Thirty-three episodes were defined as not having IA. Dyspnoea and cough were the leading complaints in proven and probable IA cases (Table 2). Bacteraemia was present in 21.2%, 30% and 60% of the episodes without IA, with possible IA and with probable/proven IA, respectively. One case of candidaemia and one case of disseminated fusariosis were identified, both of which did not have IA according to EORTC-MSG criteria. Aspergillus flavus was cultured from either blood, sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage in three episodes of three different patients, while Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured from bronchoalveolar lavage in two episodes of probable IA. Bronchoalveolar lavage could only be performed in nine episodes overall. At least one thoracic CT was performed in 36 episodes. CT was ordered by the ward staff when the patient had prolonged fever without a focus, pulmonary signs and symptoms or pathological findings on plain radiograms. Among the 22 episodes in which no thoracic CT was performed, 12 had prolonged fever and neutropenia despite broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy. Although indicated theoretically, CT was not ordered in these episodes at the discretion of the ward staff.