Fungitell (1,3)-β-D-Glucan Assay
Also known as: glucan antigen test
Use
The Fungitell assay detects circulating (1,3)-β-D-glucan in serum, which is a cell wall constituent for many invasive fungal pathogens such as Candida, Aspergillus, Fusarium species, and Pneumocystis jirovecii, aiding in the presumptive diagnosis of invasive fungal infections; should be used alongside cultures, histology, and radiological imaging, and is not effective for detecting organisms that produce low or no β-D-glucan like Cryptococcus species, Mucorales, or Blastomyces dermatitidis.([mayocliniclabs.com](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/Overview/SFUNG?utm_source=openai))
Special Instructions
Not provided.
Limitations
False-positive results may occur in patients recently undergoing hemodialysis, receiving certain blood products like albumin or immunoglobulins, or exposed to glucan-containing gauze; the assay does not detect pathogens with low β-D-glucan production (e.g., Cryptococcus, Mucorales, Blastomyces); single time-point testing has limited sensitivity and specificity—serial testing (eg, twice weekly) improves diagnostic odds.([mayocliniclabs.com](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/Overview/SFUNG?utm_source=openai))
New York Approved
Methodology
Other
Biomarkers
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
Not provided
Minimum Volume
Not provided
Container
Plain red or serum separator tube (SST)
Collection Instructions
Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection; transfer 2 mL serum (min 0.5 mL)
Storage Instructions
Refrigerated
Causes for Rejection
Hemolyzed, icteric, or lipemic specimens; other specimen types
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 2 weeks |
| Frozen | 2 weeks |