[Evaluation of beta-D-glucan density in blood after drinking an extraction element of Agaricus blazei murill].

Abstract

beta-D-Glucan (beta-G) measurement in blood is useful for prompt diagnosis, selection of treatment and therapeutic evaluation for deep fungal infection. A patient with high beta-G blood was not improved by strong anti-fungal treatment in our hospital, and the beta-G levels in the blood fell immediately after discontinuing ingestion of the agaricus mushroom extracted element (sennseiro). To verify the elevation of beta-G concentration in the blood after intake of an agaricus mushroom extraction element, beta-G concentration in the blood was measured 4 days after 9 volunteers drank 2 g of agaricus mushroom extraction element, "SSG plus 35" twice a day for 3 days. A low value of beta-G in blood was detected in one person (11.1%), which demonstrated that beta-G concentration in the blood increased by oral ingestion of the agaricus element although the reason was unclear why it was detected in only one person. Taken together, when high beta-D-glucan is identified by uncertain cause or in spite of enough anti-fungal medication, it is necessary to confirm whether a patient has ingested health food containing an agaricus mushroom element or other fungus elements to avoid needless treatment with anti-fungal medicine.