Abstract
Factor G, a coagulation proenzyme of the Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus), is extremely sensitive to (1→3)-β-D-glucan, which is a characteristic cell-wall constituent of fungi. Using this factor and by a digestion study with (1→3)-β-D-glucan, we showed that blood from patients with deep m ycosis contains the glucan. It was detected in 39 out of 41 fungal febrile episodes (sensitivity 90%), but in none of the 59 nonfungal febrile episodes (specificity 100%).
Highlights
Departm ent of C linical Pathology, Jichi M edical S cho ol, 33 11 -1 Yaku sh iji, M ina m ikawa chi-m ach i, K awa ch i-g u n, To ch igi 3 2 9 -0 4, Jap a n
S am p le s w e re p r e tr ea te d w ith perchloric acid as described elsewhere [3]
Pla sm as th at sh o w ed a p o sit iv e re ac ti o n w e re d ig e ste d w ith (1® 3 )-b -D -g lucan pu rified fr om Z y m o ly ase (S eik agak u C o rp o ra tio n, To k y o, Ja p an ) to co n fir m th at th e reactiv e su b stan ce in tho se sam p les w as (1® 3)-b -D-glucan
Summary
Departm ent of C linical Pathology, Jichi M edical S cho ol, 33 11 -1 Yaku sh iji, M ina m ikawa chi-m ach i, K awa ch i-g u n, To ch igi 3 2 9 -0 4 , Jap a n. O ther m icroo rg an ism s su ch as b acteria, rikettsiae and v iru ses all lack th is po l y sacch arid e, as d o the cells an d ex tracellular fluids of anim als This m akes it a g ood indicator of system ic fungal infections, if detected in the blood of anim als. A m ethod that can determ ine the concentration of (1® 3 )-b -D -g lu can w ith h igh sen sitiv ity an d sp ecific ity h as r e ce n tly becomeava ila b l e. T he standard requirem ent for a diagnosis of deep m ycosis w as an autopsy or a m ic ro b io lo g ic al ex am in atio n o f ap p ro p r iate sp e cim ens such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid. R eactiv ity of th e G te s t to va r iou s fu ngal po lys a ccharides
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
