galactomannan and Bacteremia

The value of (1 → 3)-beta-D-glucans (BG) and galactomannan (GM) assays on diagnostic invasive fungal infections (IFIs) has been observed in adult ICU and in children with hematological malignancies. Only scant data evaluated non-hematological in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Here, we retrospectively analyzed the role of bacterial infection to the reactivity of BG and GM assays in PICU. The results showed that the overall prevalence of bacteremia was 13.8% (65/470). The most common underlying disease was pneumonia (81.8%), followed by congenital heart disease (43.2%). The median levels of GM and range for each group [A: without bacterial infection nor IFIs (n = 151); B, patients with bacterial infection (n = 36); C, patients with bacterial infection and IFIs (n = 8)] were, respectively: 0.14 (0.01-1.34), 0.21 (0.06-1.34), 0.14 (0.02-0.99). No significant difference was found among three groups (P = 0.66). The median levels of BG and range for each group (A, B, C) were, respectively: 50.00 pg/mL (16.20-548.20 pg/mL), 50.00 pg/mL (16.10-597.60 pg/mL), 268.7 pg/mL (50.9-4224.00 pg/mL). Patients with bacteremia and IFIs showed significantly higher BG levels than these who with or without bacteremia (P = 0.003), but there was no significant difference between control subjects and patients with bacteremia group. We also observed the GM and BG levels in Gram-negative and Gram-positive groups. No significant difference was found between two groups. In conclusions, the results showed that bacteremia was unlikely cause of false-positive results of the BG and GM assays in PICU.

Topics: Bacteremia; beta-Glucans; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Galactose; Humans; Infant; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; Invasive Fungal Infections; Male; Mannans; Retrospective Studies

We report a case of Listeria monocytogenes bacteremia in a leukemic patient having a positive assay for aspergillus galactomannan (GM), although no evidence of aspergillosis was found. Supernatant obtained from L. monocytogenes strain suspension was reactive with GM-assay. L. monocytogenes produces a soluble antigen that is cross-reactive with Aspergillus GM.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Antigens, Fungal; Antineoplastic Agents; Aspergillosis; Aspergillus; Bacteremia; Cross Reactions; Galactose; Humans; Leukemia; Listeria monocytogenes; Male; Mannans; Middle Aged