Absolute Eosinophil Count was Significantly Associated with Serum (1,3)-β-D-Glucan in Patients with Invasive Fungal Infections.

BACKGROUND

Measurement of serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan has emerged as an important diagnostic strategy for invasive fungal infections (IFI). Previous studies suggested that the eosinophil count would be related with the value of serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan.

METHODS

572 blood samples obtained from 126 patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were analyzed. The unsuitable samples were excluded according to the patient selection.

RESULTS

In our study, we found that in the 572 cumulative results, the absolute eosinophil count was significantly associated with the value of (1,3)-β-D-glucan (r = 0.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51 - 0.63) but not with total leukocyte, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and basophils. Then, we found that there were 126 patients with invasive fungal infections, 109 patients with candidiasis and 17 patients with aspergillosis. In the 109 patients who had candidiasis, absolute eosinophil count was significantly associated with the value of (1,3)-β-D-glucan (r = 0.59; 95% CI 0.53 - 0.65). Similarly, in the 17 patients who had aspergillosis, the absolute eosinophil count was significantly associated with the value of (1,3)-β-D-glucan (r = 0.65; 95% CI 0.51 - 0.75). Meanwhile, similar findings in different types of Candida species or Aspergillus species in patients were found except in Candida glabrata infection.

CONCLUSIONS

As a routine and broadly used test, serial absolute eosinophil count is related with IFI, and it could be used to evaluate the progress of IFI.