Serum (1→3) β‐d‐Glucan as a Noninvasive Adjunct Marker for the Diagnosis ofPneumocystisPneumonia in Patients with AIDS

Abstract

High serum (1-->3) beta-D-glucan levels are described in patients with Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). We evaluated the diagnostic value of beta-D-glucan in 111 patients with AIDS who had PCP and confirmed its usefulness. However, it does not correlate with disease severity and is not suitable for monitoring response to treatment.

Heart–Lung Interaction via Infection

“…We have also found that the fungus Pneumocystis is a frequent respiratory colonizer in HIVinfected individuals, particularly in those with COPD (34)(35)(36). (1→3)-b-D-glucan (BG) is a component of fungal cell walls that is shed into the blood and can be detected in the serum of patients with fungal pneumonia (37,38). We have recently found detectable BG levels in HIVinfected adult outpatients without pneumonia, and BG levels correlate strongly with airway obstruction, DL CO , echocardiographic pulmonary artery pressures, higher inflammatory cytokines, increased sputum neutrophils, and activated peripheral lymphocytes (39).…”

Pneumocystis Pneumonia Associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

“…Measurement of the fungal cell wall component (1-3) ß-D-glucan (BG) in serum has been used as an adjunctive diagnostic tool for diagnosis of PCP [41][42].…”

Pulmonary Manifestations of HIV Disease

“…Therefore this test may be used as non invasive test for diagnosis of PcP 49 , 50 . This test may however not correlate with disease severity and should not be used to monitor patients on treatment 87 .…”