[Serological diagnosis for cryptococcosis by the detection of beta-glucan and capsular polysaccharide]

Cryptococcosis is definitely diagnosed microbiologically or pathologically. As adjunctive diagnosis, serological and genetic diagnosis could be a promising method for rapid diagnosis of cryptococcosis. Capsular polysaccharides such as glucuronoxylomannan were used as antigens for serodiagnosis and very high sensitivity and specificity were obtained in pulmonar cryptococcosis. Polymerase chain reaction for URA5 gene was examined but the sensitivity was not high enough for clinical use.