Fungitell, Serum

Alphabetical Test listing

Fungitell, Serum-13641

This assay has been discontinued. The referred alternate is an order placed for a MSO 994/LAB994 for LabCorp Fungitell Beta-D-Glucan 832599

Test name:

Fungitell, Serum

Test number:

13641

Excellian order number:

LAB13641

Abbreviation:

FUNGITELL

Alternate names:

Fungitell B-D Glucan
Fungitell-D-glucan assay

Useful for:

The Fungitell β-D Glucan assay is indicated for the presumptive diagnosis of invasive fungal disease through detection of elevated levels of (1,3)- β-D-glucan in serum.

Specimen type:

Serum

Collection container:

Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Volume:

2.0 mL

Minimum volume:

0.2 mL (pediatric)

Collection instructions:

Immediately following collection, thoroughly mix sample by gently inverting 5 times

Processing instructions:

Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
Do not transfer the serum to an aliquot tube
Refrigerate

Transport container:

Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Transport and stability:

Refrigerated (preferred)- 30 days

Frozen - 30 days

Ambient - 30 days

Reason for rejection:

Lipemic specimen
Icteric specimen
Hemolyzed specimen

Performing lab:

Viracor Eurofins (1710) via LabCorp (284526): R-LC

Days set up:

Mo - Fr

TAT:

1 - 4 days

Method:

The assay is based upon a modification of the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) pathway.

Reference ranges:

< 60 pg/mL

Clinical information:

Normal human serum contains low levels of (1,3)- β-D glucan, typically 10 to 40 pg/mL, presumably from commensal yeasts present in the alimentary canal and gastrointestinal tract. However, (1,3)- β-D-glucan is sloughed from the cell walls during the life cycle of most pathogenic fungi. Thus, monitoring serum for evidence of elevated and rising levels of (1,3)- β-D-glucan provides a convenient surrogate marker for invasive fungal disease.

The Fungitell ß-D Glucan assay detects (1,3)- β-D-glucan from the following pathogens: Candida spp., Acremonium, Aspergillus spp., Coccidioides immitis, Fusarium spp., Histoplasma capsulatum, Trichosporon spp., Sporothrix schenckii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Pneumocystis jiroveci.

The Fungitell ß-D Glucan assay does not detect certain fungal species such as the genus Cryptococcus, which produces very low levels of (1,3)- β-D-glucan, nor the Zygomycetes, such as Absidia, Mucor, and Rhizopus, which are not known to produce (1,3)- β-D-glucan. Studies indicate Blastomyces dermatitidis is usually not detected due to little (1,3)- β-D-glucan produced in the yeast phase.

CPT codes:

87449

LOINC code:

Result 42176-8

Date created:

04/29/2019

Revised date:

02/06/2024

Review date:

08/07/2023