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Beta D Glucan (Fungitell), Serum

Beta-D-Glucan, Fungitell

Test Codes

CSF: EPIC: LAB1230145, Viracor: 1703, Serum: EPIC: LAB1230147, Viracor: 1710, BAL: EPIC: LAB1230146, Viracor: 1709, Bronchial Wash (BW): EPIC: 1230148, Viracor: 1726

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect one of the following specimen types:

• CSF: 2.0 mL in a sterile collection container. (Minimum: 0.1 mL)
• Blood: One Gold-top SST tube or one plain Red-top tube. (Minimum: 0.1 mL)
• Bronchoalveolar(BAL): 2.0 mL in a sterile collection container. (Minimum: 0.1 mL)
• Bronchial Wash(BW): 2.0 mL in a sterile collection container. (Minimum: 0.1 mL)

Send specimen for processing immediately after collection.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

CSF, BAL, or BW: Maintain specimen at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F):
Blood: Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and keep at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: CSF, BAL or BW in a sterile collection container and/or serum, room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum CSF/Serum: 0.2 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Hemolyzed specimens.
• Icteric specimens.
• Lipemic specimens.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

CSF, BAL or BW: Maintain specimen at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).
Blood: Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and keep at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).

Transport: CSF, BAL or BW in a sterile collection container and/or serum, room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum CSF/Serum: 0.2 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Serum
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 30 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 30 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

CSF, BAL and BW
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 4 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days.

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Viracor/Eurofins Lab in Lenexa KS.

Performed

Monday – Saturday.
Results available in 1-2 days.

Reference Range

Negative: Less than 60 pg/mL.
Indeterminate: 60-79 pg/mL.
Positive: 80 - greater than 500 pg/mL.

Test Methodology

Colorimetric assay utilizing a (1→3)-β-D-Glucan-specific Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) reagent.

Interpretation

The Fungitell assay does not detect certain fungal species such as genus Cryptococcus which produces very low levels of (1→3)-β-D-Glucan. The assay also does not detect Zygomycetes such as Absidia, Mucor, and Rhizopus, which are not known to produce (1→3)-β-D-Glucan. In addition, the yeast phase of Blastomyces dermatitidis produces little (1→3)-β-D-Glucan and may not be detected by the assay.

Clinical Utility

This assay aids in the presumptive diagnosis of invasive fungal disease in at-risk patients.

CPT Codes

87449
LOINC:  62468-4

Contacts

Last Updated

10/28/2024