High Levels of Blood Sugar Like Molecules called Glucans Linked to Deadly Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Sep 22, 2025 14 hours, 47 minutes ago
Medical News: A Surprising Marker in the Blood
Researchers from Public Health Wales Mycology Reference Laboratory and the Centre for Trials Research, Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University have discovered that a substance in the blood, called (1→3)-β-D-Glucan (BDG), could predict death in COVID-19 patients—even when no fungal infections are present. This
Medical News report highlights a troubling new link between BDG levels and higher death rates in those hospitalized with severe COVID-19.
BDG is usually a marker for fungal infections like Candida and Aspergillus, but the study shows that even in patients without these infections, high BDG levels alone were strongly tied to worse outcomes. Scientists believe BDG may trigger harmful inflammatory reactions in the body, worsening the disease.
High Levels of Blood Sugar Like Molecules called Glucans Linked to Deadly Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients
The Study in Wales
The research followed 125 COVID-19 patients in critical care during the first wave of the pandemic in Wales. Each patient had their blood tested for BDG. The findings were stark:
-Patients with BDG levels above 31 pg/mL had a 58% death rate, while those with lower levels had only a 29% death rate.
-In cases where BDG was high and no antifungal drugs were given, the death rate soared to 91%.
-Even when no fungal infection was proven, antifungal treatment cut mortality in half (from 91% down to 50%).
-For patients with very high BDG levels (above 60 pg/mL) who did not receive antifungal treatment, the death rate reached 100%.
These results suggest that BDG could act as both a warning signal and a dangerous driver of inflammation in COVID-19 patients.
Why BDG Matters
BDG is a sugar-like molecule found in the cell walls of many fungi, but it can also appear in the body from other sources like diet or bacteria. Normally, it helps doctors detect fungal infections. But in this study, its presence in the blood—even without fungal disease—appeared to trigger strong immune reactions. Scientists think BDG may leak into the bloodstream from the gut or lungs, especially when COVID-19 damages tissue barriers. This could cause the immune system to overreact, worsening the patient’s condition.
The Bigger Picture
The study highlights a hidden danger: COVID-19 patients with high BDG levels may be at far greater risk of death, regardless of whether a fungal infection is confirmed. The findings suggest doctors could use BDG as a prognostic marker, a kind of red flag that signals when patients are in critical danger. It also raises questions about whether antifungal treatment should be started earlier, even without clear evidence of fungal infection.
Conclusions
The research makes it clear that high BDG levels
are not just laboratory numbers—they could mean the difference between life and death in COVID-19 patients. While antifungal drugs helped in some cases, the connection between BDG and immune-driven inflammation suggests more investigation is urgently needed. In simple terms, if BDG is high, the body may already be on a dangerous path toward severe inflammation and failure of vital organs. Recognizing and addressing this early could save many lives.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed Journal of Fungi
https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/9/656
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