Elastase production in clinical isolates of Aspergillus.

Clinical isolates of Aspergillus species were tested, both retrospectively and prospectively, for elastase activity using rose bengal-elastin agar plates. Patient records were then reviewed to determine the clinical diagnosis including the presence or absence of aspergillosis. All isolates that caused invasive aspergillosis produced elastase, but not all isolates producing elastase were associated with invasive disease.