High False-Positive Rate of (1,3)-β-D-Glucan in Onco-Hematological Patients Receiving Immunoglobulins and Therapeutic Antibodies.

Abstract

Immunoglobulins and/or therapeutic antibody preparations are associated with a high rate of false-positive (1,3)-β-D-glucan (BDG) tests in onco-hematological patients routinely screened for fungal infections. The benefit of BDG monitoring shall be balanced against the risk of false-positive tests leading to unnecessary investigations and costs in this population.