β-glucan in the lymph nodes in sarcoidosis and in Kveim-Siltzbach test reagent

β-glucan in the lymph nodes in sarcoidosis and in Kveim-Siltzbach test reagent

Authors

  • Marjeta Tercelj University Medical Centre Ljubljana
  • Barbara Salobir University Medical Centre Ljubljana
  • Ragnar Rylander BioFact Environmental Health Research Centre, Lerum, Sweden

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated a relationship between biomass of fungi exposure in the home and the risk of sarcoidosis. β-glucan was present in the bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with sarcoidosis. The Kveim-Siltzbach test reagent (KSTR) induces a sarcoidosis specific, granulomatous, cutaneous response and was used to establish the diagnosis. To date, the granuloma-inducing component of KSTR is still unknown. The present study was undertaken to investigate the presence of β-glucan in the lymph nodes of patients with sarcoidosis and to determine the relationship between the amounts of this agent with disease severity and to investigate the presence of β-glucan in KSTR. Materials and methods: Lymph node aspirations were collected by transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in region R4 or 7 from patients with newly diagnosed sarcoidosis. The samples were treated to isolate β-glucan and analyzed using a Limulus-based assay. Cultures of Propionibacterium ac. and Mycobacterium gordonae as well as samples of Kveim-Siltzbach test reagent were analyzed to determine β-glucan content. Results: A significant relationship was observed between the amount of the β-glucan in the lymph nodes and the extent of granuloma formation in the lung parenchyma, and the size of the lymph nodes in the mediastinum (r=0.787, p=0.0001 and r=0.664, p<0.001 respectively, Spearman’s test). The samples of Kveim-Siltzbach test reagent contained high levels of β-glucan. Cultures of Propionibacterium ac. and Mycobacterium gordonae contained β-glucan, the levels of which were lower in the Mycobacterium cultures. Comments: The results support the hypothesis that β-glucan, and thus fungal exposure, are involved in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis.

Author Biographies

Marjeta Tercelj, University Medical Centre Ljubljana

Clinical depratment for respiratory diseases and allergy

Barbara Salobir, University Medical Centre Ljubljana

Clinical depratment for respiratory diseases and allergy

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Published

25-08-2017

Issue

Section

Original Articles: Clinical Research

How to Cite

1.
Tercelj M, Salobir B, Rylander R. β-glucan in the lymph nodes in sarcoidosis and in Kveim-Siltzbach test reagent. Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis [Internet]. 2017 Aug. 25 [cited 2025 Apr. 2];34(2):130-5. Available from: https://mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/sarcoidosis/article/view/5844