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Tao, Lili

0000-0002-9682-3911

Mayo Clinic

Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt Health, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

Citations 1

From cross-reactivity to clinical utility: rethinking antigen testing for histoplasmosis and blastomycosis

Journal of Clinical Microbiology | November 11, 2026 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.1128/jcm.01279-26 | PMID 43012541

ABSTRACT Circulating galactomannan antigen detection plays an important role in the diagnosis of histoplasmosis and blastomycosis. Historically, clinical laboratories have offered separate, genus-specific antigen detection assays across different specimen types for these two dimorphic pathogens. However, given their substantial geographic overlap, similar clinical presentation, comparable treatment approaches, and well-described antigenic cross-reactivity, the clinical rationale for maintaining separate, genus-specific antigen detection assays is increasingly unclear. In this Commentary, we propose that a combined, genus-agnostic Histoplasma / Blastomyces antigen detection assay represents a practical, evidence-aligned approach for diagnostic evaluation of these endemic mycoses.