Fungal diagnosis: how do we do it and can we do better?

Figures & data

Table 1.  Comparison of β-D-glucan assay kits (reproduced from Yoshida et al. 2010)64.

Kit	G-test^a	Fungitec G test-MK	β-glucan test WAKO	Fungitell
Manufacturer	Seikagaku Corporation	Seikagaku Corporation	Wako Pure Chemical Indust.	Associates of Cape Cod Inc.
Lysate	Tachypleus tridentatus	Tachypleus tridentatus	Limulus polyphemus	Limulus polyphemus
Pretreatment	Perchloric acid	Alkaline	Dilution-heating	Alkaline
Method	Endpoint chromogenic	Kinetic chromogenic	Kinetic turbidimetric	Kinetic chromogenic
Standard glucan	Pachyman (Poria cocos)	Pachyman (Poria cocos)	Curdlan (Alcaligenes faecalis)	Pachyman (Poria cocos)
Detection range (pg/mL)	2–60	3.9–500	6–600	31.25–500
Cutoff value (pg)	20	20	11	60–80
Approval year	1995	1996	1996	2004

^aThis test was removed from the market and replaced by the kinetic formulation (Fungitec G test-MK).

Availability and approval of the kits varies in different countries.

Yoshida M. Beta-D-Glucan Testing. In: Pasqualotto AC, ed. Aspergillosis: From diagnosis to prevention. New York, NY: Springer+Business media B.V.; 2010: 125-34

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