(1-3)-β-D-glucan

(1-3)-β-D-glucan (BDG) is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the cell walls of most fungi, yeast, algae, and some plants. In clinical medicine, BDG is widely utilized as a major diagnostic biomarker for the presumptive detection of invasive fungal infections (IFIs), such as candidiasis, aspergillosis, and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, using assays like the Fungitell test. Additionally, BDG is investigated as a biomarker for gut barrier integrity and fungal translocation, where elevated systemic levels indicate increased intestinal permeability. It is also commonly consumed as a dietary supplement (often derived from baker's yeast or oats) for its immunomodulatory properties, which are mediated through the activation of immune cells via pattern recognition receptors such as Dectin-1.

Other names

(1,3)-beta-D-glucan(1→3)-β-D-glucan1,3-beta-D-glucanBDGbeta-1,3-D-glucanbeta-1,3-glucanbeta-D-glucanbeta-glucan