Journal of Infectious Diseases and Diagnosis

Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases, CS Mott Children’s Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Biography

R. Alexander Blackwood is currently working in Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. R. Alexander Blackwood has published numerous research papers and articles in reputed journals and has various other achievements in the related studies. R. Alexander Blackwood extended valuable service towards the scientific community with extensive research work.

Publications

• Research Article   
  Utility of Galactomannan and (1-3)-Beta-D-Glucan Assays in the Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis
  Author(s): Caitlin Helm, Ali Bacharouch and Alexander Blackwood R*
  
  Objective: The utility of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) galactomannan (GM) and (1-3)-beta-D-glucan (BDG) assays in the diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis (IA) remains unclear. Variable false positive and false negative rates complicate physician understanding and proper interpretation of test results, which may contribute to overuse of empiric treatment with antifungals. The purpose of this study is to examine the utility of GM and BDG assays for the diagnosis of IA. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of Michigan Medicine patients who had at least one GM or BDG assay completed from June 2013 to March 2016 to compare diagnostic evidence of IA as defined by EORTC/MSG guidelines to the results of the GM and BDG assays. Effects of piperacillin-tazobactam and solid organ transplants on test efficacy were also evaluated... View more»
  

  Abstract PDF