Test Code SFUNG 1,3-Beta-D-Glucan (Fungitell), Serum
Additional Codes
Epic: LAB3129
Mayo: SFUNG
Specimen Required
Container/Tube: Serum gel (red top tube is not acceptable)
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere to prevent environmental contamination of the sample.
2. Centrifuge and send entire specimen in original collection tube. Do not aliquot or open tube.
Secondary ID
604094Useful For
Aiding in the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections caused by various fungi, including Aspergillus species, Fusarium species, Candida species, and Pneumocystis jirovecii, among others
Method Name
Protease Zymogen-Based Colorimetric Assay
Reporting Name
(1, 3) Beta-D-Glucan (Fungitell), SSpecimen Type
Serum SSTSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum SST | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | SERUM GEL TUBE |
Frozen | 30 days | SERUM GEL TUBE |
Reject Due To
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Gross lipemia | Reject |
Gross icterus | Reject |
Finger/heel sticks | Reject |
Reference Values
FUNGITELL QUANTITATIVE VALUE:
<60 pg/mL
FUNGITELL QUALITATIVE RESULT:
Negative
Reference values apply to all ages.
Clinical Reference
1. Theel ES, Doern CD: Beta-D-glucan testing is important for diagnosis of invasive fungal infections. J Clin Microbiol. 2013 Nov;51(11):3478-3483
2. Karageorgopoulos DE, Vouloumanou EK, Ntziora F, Michalopoulos A, Rafailidis PI, Falagas ME: Beta-D-glucan assay for the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections: a meta-analysis. Clin Infect Dis. 2011 March;52(6):750-770
3. Lamoth F, Cruciani M, Mengoli C, et al: Beta-glucan antigenemia assay for the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections in patients with hematological malignancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies from the Third European Conference on Infections in Leukemia (ECIL-3). Clin Infect Dis. 2012 Mar;54(5):633-643
Method Description
The Fungitell assay measures levels of (1,3)-beta-D-glucan (BDG). The assay is based upon a modification of the limulus amebocyte lysate pathway. The Fungitell reagent is modified to eliminate factor C and, thus, to only react to BDG through the factor G-mediated side of the pathway. BDG activates factor G, a serine protease zymogen. The activated factor G converts the inactive proclotting enzyme to the active clotting enzyme, which in turn cleaves pNA from the chromogenic peptide substrate, Boc-Leu-Gly-Arg-pNA, creating a chromophore that absorbs at 405 nm. The Fungitell kinetic assay is based upon the determination of the rate of optical density increase produced by a sample. This rate is interpreted against a standard curve to produce estimates of BDG concentration in the sample.(Package insert: Assay for [(1,3]-Beta-D-Glucan in Serum. Associates of Cape Cod Inc; 12/14/2021)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
1 to 2 daysPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
87449
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
SFUNG | (1, 3) Beta-D-Glucan (Fungitell), S | 42176-8 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
603615 | Fungitell Quantitative Value | 42176-8 |
603616 | Fungitell Qualitative Result | 93812-6 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:
-General Request (T239)
-Microbiology Test Request (T244)