Options appraisal of various β‒D‒glucan assay systems for a diagnostic microbiology laboratory

Abstract

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) have become a substantial concern in immunocompromised cancer patients, diabetics, hematopoietic stem cell transplant and solid organ transplant recipients with significant morbidity and mortality, Amongst IFIs, Candida and Aspergillus continue to be the most frequently reported, along with Fusarium and Zygomycetes. The need for tissue samples and the time required for cultures and histological investigation has made diagnosing IFIs problematic in the past. The detection of IFIs non-invasively by measuring biological markers such as the galactomannan antigen and the fungal wall component (1-3)-β-D-Glucan (BDG) have emerged as excellent options. In view of multiple kits available for detection and quantification of the fungal wall component (1-3)-BDG, it becomes essential to perform the options appraisal to find out the best available test option for a microbiology laboratory. Our work focuses on comparing various (1-3)-BDG detection systems available in the market.