Diagnostic Performance of 1→3-β-d-Glucan in Neonatal and Pediatric Patients with Candidemia

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Maria Teresa Montagna²  Caterina Coretti²  Grazia Lovero²  Osvalda De Giglio²  Osvaldo Montagna³  Nicola Laforgia³  Nicola Santoro¹ 

[1] U.O. Pediatrics “F.Vecchio”, A.O.U. Policlinico Consorziale, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; E-Mail:;Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology—Hygiene Section, University of Bari, “Aldo Moro”, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; E-Mails:;Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology—Neonatology and Neonatology Intensive Care Section, University of Bari, “Aldo Moro”, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; E-Mails:

关键词: candidemia;    1→3-β-d-glucan;    mannan antigen;    pediatric patients;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms12095871

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Fungal sepsis is one of the major problems in neonatal and pediatric care unit settings. The availability of new diagnostic techniques could allow medical practitioners to rapidly identify septic patients and to improve their outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the 1→3-β-d-glucan (BDG), individually and in comparison with the Candida mannan (CM) antigen, in ten preterm infants and five onco-haematological pediatric patients with Candida bloodstream infections already proven by positive culture. The serum levels of BDG were >80 pg/mL on the same day as a positive blood culture in all examined patients, while CM antigen was negative in the patients with C. parapsilosis fungemia and in one further case due to C. albicans. These results suggest that a regular monitoring of serum circulating antigens (i.e., 1→3-β-d-glucan) combined with other microbiological and clinical information, may allow earlier and accurate diagnosis. However, further studies are necessary to confirm its usefulness in routine clinical practice.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.