Value of (1-3)-β-d-glucan, Candida mannan and Candida DNA detection in the diagnosis of candidaemia.

This study determined the value of (1,3)-β-d-glucan (BDG), Candida mannan (MN) and Candida species-specific DNA as surrogates for diagnosis of candidaemia. Thirty-nine patients yielding Candida species in blood cultures were investigated for presence of BDG, MN and Candida species-specific DNA in serum samples. The Candida spp. bloodstream isolates included C. albicans (n = 16), C. tropicalis (n = 10), C. parapsilosis (n = 7), C. glabrata (n = 3) and C. dubliniensis (n = 3). Positivity of the three markers was as follows: Candida DNA for corresponding Candida species, 100%; BDG, 87%; MN, 59%. Despite varying sensitivities of these biomarkers, they provided a useful adjunct to the diagnosis of candidaemia.