To evaluate the role of 1,3-Beta-D-Glucan for diagnosing invasive fungal infections in adults in ICU- a prospective observational study

Invasive fungal infections are becoming more common across the world and are associated with significant death rates, particularly in the immunocompromised population. IFI is related with a number of risk factors, including neutropenia, extended hospitalisation, HIV infection, haematological malignancies, bone marrow transplantation, solid organ transplantation, chemotherapy, and the use of immunosuppressive medications. IFI is becoming more common in non-neutropenic patients in intensive care units. Candida and Aspergillus species cause the majority of IFI in the critical care environment. If not treated early, IFIs are linked to significant morbidity, including death rates of 30–70% owing to aspergillosis and 40–50% due to candidiasis.

 IFI is difficult to diagnose because clinical symptoms and radiographic findings, as well as traditional microbiological and histological procedures, are less sensitive. Fungal culture normally takes 2 to 4 days to provide findings, on the other hand histological investigation is challenging in most situations. Therefore, a quick and reliable diagnosis of IFI using a simple and convenient technique is needed. BDG is a fungal cell-wall polysaccharide that is released into the bloodstream in people with IFIs.

 The BDG test has been widely utilised, and the results are incorporated in the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) updated IFI diagnostic criteria. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, dialysis, and the usage of immunoglobulins have all been identified as confounding variables for false positive test .

 Only a few studies from India have been published on role of the BDG test in the diagnosis of IFI. We therefore planned this study to assess the role of BDG test in adult population in ICU with a high risk of IFI.       .