1-->3) beta -D-glucan assay in the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections. Diseases Society of America

摘要

Ostrosky-Zeichner et al. have investigated the utility of the (1-3) beta-d-glucan assay in the diagnosis of fungal infections using a case-control methodology. They report a sensitivity and specificity of 64.4% and 92.4%, respectively, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 89% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 73% when a cutoff value of 80 pg/mL was employed. Although the results of this study would appear to support the utility of this assay in diagnosing invasive fungal infections (IFIs), we question the choice of control patients and the presentation of predictive values.