Abstract: Objective To investigate the relationship between the concentration of plasma (1→3)-β-D-glucan (β-D-glucan) and deep fungal infection. Methods Thirteen patients were recruited in this study, who were suspected with deep fungal infection. G-test TE reagent for β-D-glucan measurement was used to detect the plasma (1→3) β-D-glucan in the patients by using UV-2450 spectrophotometer at 545 nm wavelength. The final concentrations were calculated according to concentration conversion formula. Results Nine of thirteen patients were confirmed as deep fungal infection by positive tissue culture, in whom high concentrations of β-D-glucan were detected, the highest concentration was 352.94 pg/mL (mixed infection), with a mean value of 203.47 pg/mL. In the other four patients with negative culture, the β-D-glucan concentration was over 54.40 pg/mL in three patients and 16.16 pg/mL in the another. Our results showed that the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of this test were 92.31%, 100%, 100% and 98.36%, respectively. Conclusion G-test TE method is a simple and rapid test and may be used for the diagnosis of patients with deep fungal infection.

Key words: Mycoses, Glucans