Fungal Diseases Tests in Chandigarh

Beta-D-Glucan (BDG) is a component of the cell wall of most clinically important fungi (Aspergillus, Candida, Pneumocystis jirovecii, Fusarium). Its detection in blood indicates invasive fungal infection with high sensitivity, often before cultures become positive. It is recommended for ICU patients with unexplained fever on broad-spectrum antibiotics, neutropenic patients, transplant recipients, and patients on prolonged corticosteroids.

No. Mucorales (the fungi causing mucormycosis) lack (1→3)-β-D-glucan in their cell walls, so the BDG test will be negative in mucormycosis. For suspected mucormycosis, the best diagnostic approaches are direct microscopy and culture of affected tissue, and the Mucorales PCR which Altus Lab offers.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a life-threatening fungal infection that occurs almost exclusively in immunocompromised patients — those with haematological malignancies, solid organ or stem cell transplants, prolonged neutropenia, or high-dose corticosteroid use. Unlike community-acquired pneumonia, it does not respond to antibiotics, carries mortality of 30–90% if untreated, and requires urgent antifungal therapy with voriconazole or isavuconazole.

Most yeasts (Candida species) grow within 2–5 days. Dermatophytes (tinea) typically take 2–4 weeks. Moulds including Aspergillus usually grow within 3–7 days under ideal conditions. Our laboratory monitors cultures daily and reports preliminary results as soon as growth is detected.

Increasingly yes. Azole resistance is rising globally, particularly in Aspergillus fumigatus (cyp51A mutations) and Candida auris, which is intrinsically resistant to multiple antifungals. Antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) with MIC determination is essential for serious infections to ensure the prescribed drug will work.