Characterization of specific anti‐Candida IgM, IgA and IgE: diagnostic value in deep‐seated infections

Abstract

The proposed serological diagnosis of systemic Candida infections is based on a microplate immunocapture technique detecting IgM, IgA and IgE anti-Candida antibodies. Activity is revealed with a suspension of human erythrocytes sensitized with somatic antigen of Candida albicans, and is quantified on an automated plate reader. The sera were obtained from patients with deep-seated (n = 56) and superficial (n = 193) candidosis. We compared this immunological method with a combination of indirect immunofluorescence and co-immunoelectrodiffusion. The immunocapture method was more sensitive (80.4% vs. 48.2% with indirect immunofluorescence and 58.9% with co-immunoelectrodiffusion), and often provided the diagnosis at an earlier stage, with clear therapeutic advantages. The IgA isotype was a particularly valuable marker of deep-seated Candida infections.

Evaluation of different commercial ELISA methods for the serodiagnosis of systemic candidosis - Bewertung kommerzieller ELISA-Methoden zur Serodiagnose der systemischen Candidose

“…Association of IgG and IgM detection in commercial tests would require a prospective study with follow-up of the patients. These techniques would also be associated with detection of the other immunoglobulins, IgA and IgE, as observed for the immunocapture technique [11]. The best result, in our study, for the systemic candidosis diagnosis was obtained by the association of the two Platelia Ò tests, immunoglobulin antibody and mannan antigen detection.…”

“…A possible improvement in IgG detection would be to use as antigen Candida germinative tubes in ELISA [7] or in IFI [13], however, no industrial method for this is presently available. Another improvement would be the detection of IgM, as reported by different methods, ELISA [8], passive haemagglutination [9,10] or immunocapture [11]. The Virotech GmbH and Biomerica Ò ELISA tests would also be used for IgM detection.…”

Isolation and Identification ofCandidafrom the Oral Cavity

“…Immunosuppressed individuals often show variability in antibody production and in such a case the use of an antigen detection test is recommended. Tests like enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radio immuno assay (RIA) for detection of candidial antigen, either cell-wall mannan or cytoplasmic constituents are now available in developed countries [31]. …”

Evaluation of different commercial ELISA methods for the serodiagnosis of systemic candidosis

“…A possible improvement in IgG detection would be to use as antigen Candida germinative tubes in ELISA [7] or in IFI [13], however, no industrial method for this is presently available. Another improvement would be the detection of IgM, as reported by different methods, ELISA [8], passive haemagglutination [9, 10] or immunocapture [11]. The Virotech GmbH and Biomerica ® ELISA tests would also be used for IgM detection.…”