DETECTION OF PLASMA (1 -] 3)-BETA-D-GLUCAN IN PATIENTS WITH FUSARIUM,TRICHOSPORON, SACCHAROMYCES AND ACREMONIUM FUNGAEMIAS

(1-->3)-beta-D-glucan, a characteristic fungal molecule, is known to i ncrease in blood in invasive candidiasis, aspergillosis and cryptococc osis. This report shows that the plasma glucan concentration was also elevated in four patients infected with Fusarium, Trichosporon beigeli i, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Acremonium. In three of the patients, the elevation preceded positive blood cultures by 5-17 days, and in on e of them it even preceded the onset of fever by 6 days. In a fourth p atient, the glucan level decreased with clinical improvement. Plasma ( 1-->3)-beta-D-glucan determination appears to be useful also for diagn osis and follow-up of these unusual deep mycoses.