(1-]3)-BETA-D-GLUCANEMIA IN DEEP MYCOSIS

Factor G, a coagulation proenzyme of the Japanese horseshoe crab (Tach ypleus tridentatus), is extremely sensitive to (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan, which is a characteristic cell-wall constituent of fungi, Using this f actor and by a digestion study with (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan, we showed t hat blood from patients with deep mycosis contains the glucan, It was detected in 39 out of 41 fungal febrile episodes (sensitivity 90%), bu t in none of the 59 non-fungal febrile episodes (specificity 100%).