8 days
Turbidimetry
pg/mL
Interpretation criteria:
- Negative: Absence of (1,3)-ß-D-Glucans
- Limit: Presence of non-quantifiable (1,3)-ß-D-Glucans or result between 6 and 6.99 pg/mL
- Positive: Result greater than or equal to 7 pg/mL
Any positive or borderline result must be checked on a new sample.
After exclusion of other aetiologies, two samples positive for ß-D-glucans in serum consecutively in an immunocompromised patient are a mycological criterion for the diagnosis of probable invasive fungal infections (invasive candidiasis, pneumocystis) apart from infections caused by filamentous fongi (EORTC 2019 RECOMMENDATIONS).
In cases of suspected invasive aspergillosis, testing for circulating antigens is based on the detection of galactomannan in serum or BAL (REMIC 2022).
Limitations of the test - causes of false positives: dialysis patients (cellulose-based membranes), IV Ig, recent surgery, bacteremia, Candida/Pneumocystis colonisation (REMIC 2022).