Aspergillus-Galactomannan*

serum 0.5 ml

ELISA

5 days

• Galactomannan is a polysaccharide found in the cell wall of Aspergillus spp. In animals affected by aspergillosis, it can be detected in the blood.
• For birds that only develop low antibody titres against Aspergillus (often in parrots), the detection of galactomannan in the blood can help to diagnose aspergillosis. However, galactomannan is only released during active infection, i.e. during growth and spread of the fungus. In inactive older granulomas, the polysaccharide cannot be detected in the blood.
• Animals that display high antibody titres against Aspergillus normally do not have detectable galactomannan in the blood, so that antibody and antigen detection in combination can complement each other when making a diagnosis.