Detection of plasma (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan in patients with Fusarium, Trichosporon, Saccharomyces and Acremonium fungaemias

J Med Vet Mycol. 1997 Sep-Oct;35(5):371-4.

Abstract

(1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan, a characteristic fungal molecule, is known to increase in blood in invasive candidiasis, aspergillosis and cryptococcosis. This report shows that the plasma glucan concentration was also elevated in four patients infected with Fusarium, Trichosporon beigelii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Acremonium. In three of the patients, the elevation preceded positive blood cultures by 5-17 days, and in one of them it even preceded the onset of fever by 6 days. In a fourth patient, the glucan level decreased with clinical improvement. Plasma (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan determination appears to be useful also for diagnosis and follow-up of these unusual deep mycoses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acremonium*
  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fungemia / blood*
  • Fungemia / diagnosis*
  • Fungemia / drug therapy
  • Fusarium*
  • Glucans / blood*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Opportunistic Infections / blood*
  • Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis
  • Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae*
  • Trichosporon*
  • beta-Glucans*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Glucans
  • beta-Glucans
  • beta-1,3-glucan