The mechanism of the stimulation of inflammatory response has been characterized, and involves a specific glucan receptor which is present on peripheral blood leukocytes and extravascular macrophages (Czop, 1986). Activation of this receptor with glucan stimulates the amplification of host defenses which involves a cascade of interactions primarily mediated by macrophages and macrophage-derived products such as cytokines. From Song and Di Luzio (1979) glucan can be considered as "immunoamplifiers".