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(1→3)β-d-Glucan Assay Positivity in Patients with Pneumocystis (carinii) jiroveci Pneumonia
- Francisco M. Marty, MD;
- Sophia Koo, MD;
- Julie Bryar, BA; and
- Lindsey R. Baden, MD
- From Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
Background: Measurement of serum (1→3)β-d-glucan (β-glucan) is now available in the United States as a diagnostic aid for invasive fungal infections in high-risk patients (1, 2). β-Glucan is a cell-wall component of most pathogenic fungi, including Pneumocystis jiroveci (formerly P. carinii) (3). Serum β-glucan positivity in patients with Pneumocystis (carinii) jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) has been reported in Japan (4, 5). Whether the assay licensed in the United States (Fungitell, Associates of Cape Cod, Falmouth, Massachusetts) is reactive in patients with PCP is unknown (1, 2).
Objective: To report the results of serum β-glucan testing among patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PCP over 2 years at our institution.
Methods: We reviewed the medical records of all patients with …
