[Appropriate use of laboratory tests – (1-3)-β-D-glucan serum testing]
Labonté I, Roberge S
Record ID 32018014982
French
Original Title:
Utilisation judicieuse des analyses biomédicales : dosage du (1-3)-β-D-glucane sérique
Authors' objectives:
In order to reduce the use of biomedical tests of low clinical value, the Direction des
laboratoires et de l’imagerie médicale (DLIM) of the ministère de la Santé et des Services
sociaux (MSSS) mandated the Institut national d’excellence en santé et services sociaux
(INESSS) to assess the clinical relevance of serum BDG testing, as well as its
organizational and economic aspects.
Authors' results and conclusions:
RESULTS: Serum BDG testing is not indicated for:
• diagnosis of IFI;
• initiation or monitoring of antifungal treatment. Other considerations
• Serum BDG testing may be part of a diagnostic strategy in the presence of very
specific clinical conditions. Such requests should be supervised by a
microbiologist-infectious disease physician engaged in IFI. CONCLUSION: The guidance sheet produced as part of this work will guide and equip healthcare
professionals for more appropriate use of serum BDG testing. Such practice could lead to
reduction in the number of requests made each year and their associated costs. A
positive environmental impact may also result from these new recommendations.
Authors' methods:
A review of clinical indications and recommendations related to serum BDG detection in
the literature was carried out according to INESSS’s rapid review methodology. An
advisory committee of healthcare professionals concerned with biomedical test requests
was consulted to collect experiential and contextual information specific to Québec. The
relevance of the present report and its overall scientific quality, as well as its acceptability
and applicability, were reviewed by external readers selected on the basis of their
expertise. A guidance sheet to support appropriate use accompanies this report.
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
2026
URL for published report:
https://www.inesss.qc.ca/fileadmin/doc/INESSS/Rapports/Biologie_medicale/Glucane_serique_GN_INESSS.pdf
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Other
Country:
Canada
Province:
Quebec
MeSH Terms
- Aspergillosis
- Invasive Fungal Infections
- beta-Glucans
- Diagnostic Tests, Routine
- Candidiasis
- Biomarkers
Contact
Organisation Name:
Institut national d'excellence en sante et en services sociaux
Contact Address:
L'Institut national d'excellence en sante et en services sociaux (INESSS) , 2021, avenue Union, bureau 10.083, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 2S9;Tel: 1+514-873-2563, Fax: 1+514-873-1369
Contact Name:
demande@inesss.qc.ca
Contact Email:
demande@inesss.qc.ca
Copyright:
L'Institut national d'excellence en sante et en services sociaux (INESSS)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.