Development of a GNA-lectin based immunochromatographic test for rapid diagnosis in human penicilliosis marneffei    Penicillium marneffei is classified as an important emerging opportunistic fungal infection. It has been recently renamed as Talaromyces marneffei. It is the most prevalent systemic mycotic infection in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This infection is endemic in tropical Asia including Thailand, northeastern India, southern China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Taiwan. The microorganism is the only known temperature-dependent dimorphic fungus of the genus Penicillium.

In the purpose of this study, a novel sandwich ICT for screening P. marneffei antigen in urine and/or serum samples will be developed. The monoclonal anti-P. marneffei antigen gold conjugate will be used as specific signal developing agent and Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA), (or polyclonal anti- P. marneffei antigen) immobilized at test line zone will be used as capturing molecule acting as polyclonal anti-terminal mannose. The diagnostic performance of the novel sandwich ICT strip will be evaluated in comparison to that of the hemoculture-confirmed penicilliosis marneffei which is used as the gold standard laboratory diagnosis of penicilliosis marneffei.