[Evaluation of (1-3)-beta-D-glucan in aspergillosis and cryptococcosis]

(1-3)-beta-D-Glucan (beta-glucan) is a major structural component of fungi. The G test is a direct method to detect beta-glucan using fractionated (1-3)-beta-D-glucan-sensitive component, factor G, eluted from the limulus lysate. Previously, we reported that the G test is a more sensitive method than the mannan detection assay for the serological diagnosis of Candida infection. In this study, we discuss beta-glucanemia in patients with pulmonary aspergillosis and cryptococcosis. The concentration of beta-glucan was less than 10 pg/ml in 9 of 10 cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis, except for one case receiving hemodialysis (16.5 pg/ml). beta-Glucan increased in 3 cases of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (27-937 pg/ml). Galactomannan antigen was positive in all of those cases. In 8 cases of aspergilloma, which showed fungus ball on roentgenogram, the mean concentration of beta-glucan was 67.1 +/- 92.7 pg/ml. Two of 8 cases were positive for galactomannan antigen. One of three cases of PAIC (productive aspergilloma on the inner wall of a cavity) and one case of chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis showed slightly increased levels of beta-glucan and positive results of galactomannan antigen test.