Beta-D-Glucan Level by Protease Zymogen Colorimetry
Also known as: Beta D Glucan Level, Serum
Beta D Glucan Level, Serum Details in Brief
| Also Known As | (1→3)-β-D-Glucan Test, BDG Test, Serum Beta-D-Glucan, Fungal Infection Screening Test |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Detects invasive fungal infections such as candidiasis, aspergillosis and pneumocystosis; supports early diagnosis and treatment in high-risk patients |
| Preparation | No specific preparation required |
| Fasting | No fasting required |
| Reporting Time | Same day |
| Cost | 7,500 |
What is a Beta D Glucan Test?
The Beta D Glucan test is a specialised blood test that helps detect the presence of (1→3)-β-D-glucan — a sugar-like molecule found in the cell walls of most fungi but not in human cells. When a fungal infection spreads through your bloodstream, fragments of this substance are released, which the test measures to indicate a possible invasive fungal infection (IFI).
Doctors use this test to identify early fungal infections such as candidiasis, aspergillosis, and pneumocystosis, especially in people with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, transplant recipients, or patients in intensive care units.
The test requires a small blood sample drawn from your vein.
What Does a Beta D Glucan Test Measure?
The Beta D Glucan Test measures the concentration of fungal cell wall component β-D-glucan in your blood, helping your doctor identify potential fungal infections at an early stage.
- Detection of Invasive Fungal Infections (IFI): Identifies fungal components circulating in the bloodstream before cultures become positive.
- Fungal Screening: Detects infections like candidiasis, aspergillosis, and pneumocystosis in immunocompromised individuals.
- Therapy Monitoring: Helps monitor your response to antifungal treatment.
- Differentiation: Assists doctors in distinguishing fungal infections from bacterial or viral infections.
- Early Warning Indicator: Elevated levels may appear before any visible or symptomatic fungal infection develops.
Beta D Glucan Test: Who Needs It and Why It’s Done
What Symptoms May Call for a Beta D Glucan Test?
Your doctor may recommend this test if you have any of the following:
- Persistent fever not responding to antibiotics
- Symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, or unexplained infection
- Long hospitalisation or ICU stay with central lines or catheters
- Signs of sepsis with no identifiable bacterial source
- Recurrent or unexplained fungal infections
Who Should Get a Beta D Glucan Test?
You may be advised to take this test if you:
- Are immunocompromised (e.g., HIV-positive, cancer, organ transplant)
- Are on chemotherapy, steroids or immunosuppressive drugs
- Have diabetes or chronic kidney disease
- Have a central venous catheter, are on dialysis, or are receiving total parenteral nutrition
- Are hospitalised in ICU or have undergone recent surgery
Why is a Beta D Glucan Test Done?
This test is performed to detect early signs of invasive fungal infection before the organism can be identified by culture or biopsy, helping doctors begin prompt antifungal therapy.
Importance of a Beta D Glucan Test
The Beta D Glucan test plays an essential role in diagnosing and managing fungal infections in critically ill or immunocompromised patients.
- Provides an early alert for systemic fungal infections before symptoms worsen.
- Helps guide antifungal treatment decisions and monitor therapy response.
- Offers a high negative predictive value, meaning a negative result strongly suggests the absence of fungal infection.
- Reduces unnecessary antifungal drug use by confirming when infection is unlikely.
Beta D Glucan Test Booking & Reports – Metropolis Healthcare
How to Book the Beta D Glucan Test and Get Your Reports
- Simple Online Booking
Book the Beta D Glucan Test easily through the Metropolis Healthcare website or app. Choose your preferred time slot for home sample collection, or visit the nearest Metropolis Lab to give your blood sample. - Safe Home Sample Collection
Our trained phlebotomists collect your blood sample safely at home, following strict hygiene and infection control protocols. - Sample Tracking Updates
Stay informed at every step through real-time sample tracking on the Metropolis Healthcare website. - Accurate Laboratory Testing
Your sample is processed in our NABL & CAP accredited laboratories using advanced chemiluminescence technology for reliable and precise results. - Quick & Easy Reports
You can access your reports via email, WhatsApp, or download them directly from the Metropolis website or app.
Is Home Sample Collection for Beta D Glucan Test Available Near You?
Yes, Metropolis Healthcare offers convenient home collection for the Beta D Glucan Test. Our expert phlebotomists collect your sample safely at your preferred time, saving you travel and waiting time while ensuring high-quality testing and accurate results.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Beta D Glucan Test Report?
Reports are usually available on the same day once the sample reaches the laboratory.
Note: Reporting time may vary based on your location.
Where Can I See or Get Beta D Glucan Test Results?
Your reports are accessible through multiple channels — log in to the Metropolis Healthcare website or app, receive them via email or WhatsApp, or collect a physical copy directly from your nearest Metropolis Lab.
Interpreting Beta D Glucan Test Results
What Your Beta D Glucan Test Results May Indicate
| Parameter | Normal Range | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Beta-D-Glucan Level | <0.06 ng/mL | Negative – Low risk of invasive fungal infection |
| Beta-D-Glucan Level | 0.06–0.1 ng/mL | Intermediate – Repeat testing and clinical follow-up recommended |
| Beta-D-Glucan Level | >0.1 ng/mL | Positive – Indicates high risk of invasive fungal infection |
Understanding Abnormal Beta D Glucan Test Results by Parameter
| Parameter | High Values May Indicate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beta-D-Glucan | Invasive fungal infection (e.g., candidiasis, aspergillosis, pneumocystosis) | Should be correlated with culture and imaging results |
| Beta-D-Glucan | False positives may occur due to certain drugs, hemodialysis membranes, or surgical gauze exposure | Always interpret alongside clinical findings |
How Should You Prepare for a Beta D Glucan Test?
Preparation is simple and patient-friendly:
- No fasting required – you can eat and drink normally before the test.
- Maintain hydration – drink adequate water for smoother blood draw.
- Inform your doctor – about medications, particularly if you are on immunoglobulin infusions or antibiotics.
- Avoid hemodialysis just before sampling – if possible, as it may affect results.
- Relax and rest – avoid stress or illness on the day of testing, as severe infections may alter readings.
How Is a Beta D Glucan Test Done? (Step-by-Step Procedure)
- Preparation: A tourniquet is applied around your arm to make veins more visible.
- Cleaning: The skin is disinfected using an antiseptic solution.
- Blood Draw: A sterile needle is inserted into your vein to collect the blood sample.
- Collection: Around 4 ml of blood is drawn into a gel vacutainer tube.
- Completion: The needle is removed, and a small bandage is applied to prevent bleeding.
- Processing: The sample is centrifuged and analysed using a chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) method.
Conditions That May Affect Beta D Glucan Test Accuracy
Certain factors can lead to false-positive or inaccurate results:
- Medication use: Drugs such as Cresemba, Schizophyllan, or Lentinan can interfere with results.
- Hemodialysis filters: Cellulose membranes may cause elevated levels.
- Surgical gauze exposure: Use of glucan-containing surgical materials can raise values.
- Immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG): Can occasionally cause false positives.
- Concurrent bacterial infection: Particularly with Streptococcus species.
Diseases That a Beta D Glucan Test Can Help Detect
This test aids in the detection and management of various fungal infections:
- Invasive Candidiasis – bloodstream and deep tissue fungal infection.
- Aspergillosis – fungal infection of the lungs or sinuses.
- Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia (PJP) – lung infection common in immunocompromised patients.
- Fungal Sepsis – systemic fungal infection leading to severe illness.
- Deep-seated Mycoses – infections involving organs such as the liver or brain.
Beta D Glucan Test Price in Different Cities
The cost of a Beta D Glucan Test may vary depending on your location. Here's a table showing the approximate price range for the Beta D Glucan Test at Metropolis Healthcare in major Indian cities:
|
City |
Approximate Cost (INR) |
|
₹ 7000 to ₹ 8000 |
|
|
₹ 7000 to ₹ 8000 |
|
|
₹ 7000 to ₹ 8000 |
|
|
₹ 7000 to ₹ 8000 |
The Beta D Glucan Test cost may vary depending on the city and the specific tests included in the panel. However, Metropolis Healthcare offers competitive Beta D Glucan Test prices across major cities in India.
References
- Pazos, C., Pontón, J., & Del Palacio, A. (2006). Contribution of (1→3)-β-D-glucan chromogenic assay to diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of invasive fungal infections. Medical Mycology, 44(3), 223–229. PMID: 16772225
- Obayashi, T., Yoshida, M., Mori, T., et al. (1995). Plasma (1→3)-β-D-glucan measurement in diagnosis of invasive deep mycosis and fungal febrile episodes. The Lancet, 345(8941), 17–20. PMID: 7815882
- Karageorgopoulos, D.E., Vouloumanou, E.K., Ntziora, F., et al. (2011). β-D-Glucan assay for the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections: A meta-analysis. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 52(6), 750–770. PMID: 21367728
- Mennink-Kersten, M.A.S., & Verweij, P.E. (2006). Non-culture-based diagnostics for opportunistic fungi. Infection, 34(3), 185–191. PMID: 16802191
- Lamoth, F., Cruciani, M., Mengoli, C., et al. (2012). β-D-Glucan antigenemia assay for diagnosis of invasive fungal infections in patients with hematological malignancies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 54(5), 633–643. PMID: 22267716
Beta D Glucan Level, Serum Price
Metropolis Healthcare is a leading diagnostics centre and pathology lab in India equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technologies that provides the Beta D Glucan Level, Serum with a clear pricing structure.
The Beta D Glucan Level, Serum Price in Mumbai is ₹ 7,500 .
We are committed to deliver accurate and quality results from the best labs in India with complete transparency regarding test cost and turnaround time. No matter where you are, we strive to offer patients high-quality service that is affordable and accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
A positive result indicates the likely presence of an invasive fungal infection, but further tests such as cultures or imaging are needed to confirm.
Yes, certain beta-lactam antibiotics and immunoglobulin treatments can sometimes cause false-positive results.
No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual before the test.
No, the test detects the presence of fungal cell wall components but does not specify the fungal type.
Yes, using cellulose-based dialysis membranes may cause false-positive results due to glucan contamination.
It has a high negative predictive value, meaning a negative result strongly rules out invasive fungal infection.
Less than 0.06 ng/mL is considered negative; 0.06–0.1 ng/mL requires follow-up, and above 0.1 ng/mL indicates high risk.
A trained technician draws a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm using a sterile needle.
Minimal risks such as mild pain, bruising or light-headedness may occur at the blood draw site.
Yes, repeating the test helps assess whether antifungal therapy is working effectively.
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We offer a comprehensive range of 4000+ clinical laboratory tests and profiles, which are used for prediction, early detection, diagnostic screening, confirmation and/or monitoring of the disease.

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