False-positive Histoplasma antigenemia caused by antithymocyte globulin antibodies

: False‐positive Histoplasma antigen results were identified in two patients who received rabbit antithymocyte globulin (ATG, Thymoglobulin®) to prevent allograft rejection. To determine the prevalence of false‐positive results following the administration of Thymoglobulin®, sequential specimens wer...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transplant infectious disease 2004-03, Vol.6 (1), p.23-27
Main Authors: Wheat, L.J., Connolly, P., Durkin, M., Book, B.K., Tector, A.J., Fridell, J., Pescovitz, M.D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antibodies - blood
antigenemia
Antigens, Fungal - blood
Antilymphocyte Serum - administration & dosage
Antilymphocyte Serum - immunology
antithymocyte globulin
False Positive Reactions
false-positive
Graft Rejection - prevention & control
HARA
Histoplasma
Histoplasma - immunology
Histoplasma - isolation & purification
histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis - diagnosis
Humans
Organ Transplantation - adverse effects
Rabbits
transplant
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Summary:: False‐positive Histoplasma antigen results were identified in two patients who received rabbit antithymocyte globulin (ATG, Thymoglobulin®) to prevent allograft rejection. To determine the prevalence of false‐positive results following the administration of Thymoglobulin®, sequential specimens were tested from a cohort of transplant recipients. Of 107 such patients, 17 (15.9%) demonstrated false‐positive tests for Histoplasma antigenemia. False antigenemia peaked at 2–4 weeks after ATG administration and cleared over the next few months. Physicians should be aware of the potential for false‐positive results in specimens from patients who have received ATG.
ISSN:1398-2273
1399-3062
DOI:10.1111/j.1399-3062.2004.00045.x