RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Candidemia is a major cause of bloodstream infection in tertiary hospitals worldwide and fungal biomarkers may provide early diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the performance of (1-3)-ß-D-glucan (BDG) in the diagnosis of candidemia and its ability to predict therapeutic failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, multi-centre study conducted in 3 Brazilian hospitals. Clinical outcome was evaluated along 2 weeks of treatment, and therapeutic failure was defined as the occurrence of persistent candidemia, Candida deep-seated infection or death. Baseline BDG detection was performed with the Fungitell® assay (Associates of Cape Cod, Falmouth-USA). RESULTS: We enrolled a total of 71 patients with candidemia and a control group with 110 healthy volunteers. The sensitivity and specificity of BDG for diagnosing candidemia were as follows: 71.8% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 59.7% - 81.5%) and 98.2% (95% CI 92.9% - 99.7%), respectively. The only predictor of therapeutic failure was a higher BDG value at diagnosis of candidemia; a value > 226 pg/mL predicted failure with sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 78%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A high baseline serum BDG value was associated with therapeutic failure.