Distribution And Significance Of Candida Precipitins In Sera From Pregnant Women

Abstract

MATERIALS AND METHODS Preparation of antigensThree antigens derived from a strain of Candida albicans, group A (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine no. 3153), were produced in bulk to minimise batch variation and stored in the freeze-dried state.(a) Mickle-disintegrated cytoplasmic antigen. A modification of the methods of Stallybrass (1964) and Taschdjian et al. (1964a) was used. The fungus was grown in shaken culture at 37°C for 48 hr. The culture medium was modified Sabouraud's glucose broth (peptone

Candida precipitins in pregnant women: validity of the test systems used

“…A high overall incidence of precipitin-positive sera (47.5 %) was found compared with an incidence of 18 % in the unselected pregnant population previously studied (Stanley, Hurley, and Carroll 1972).…”

“…A high overall incidence of precipitin-positive sera (47.5 %) was found compared with an incidence of 18 % in the unselected pregnant population previously studied (Stanley, Hurley, and Carroll 1972).Using the clinicopathological criteria of Carroll, Hurley, and Stanley (1973), a final aetiological diagnosis of C. albicans mycosis was reached in 75 cases and precipitins were demonstrated in 64%. Forty-eight women harbouring C. albicans responded favourably to a single course of antifungal treatment, and probably had mycotic vaginitis.…”

“…2 buffered to pH 8-6 with borate buffer, at a depth of 1 mm. A pure cell wall mannan antigen (1 mg/ml), a culture filtrate antigen (20 mg/ml), and a Mickle-disintegrated cytoplasmicantigen (20 mg/ml) were prepared as described by Stanley et al (1972). Antigen wells of 6 mm and 2 mm diameter were separated by 6 mm from a central serum well of 14 mm diameter.…”

“…In a previous study on an unselected pregnant population, Stanley, Hurley, and Carroll (1972) showed that precipitins to three antigens derived from Candida albicans, tested at two concentrations, occurred in 18 % of sera from women booking at an antenatal clinic, and that these occurred significantly more frequently in women with probable mycotic vulvovaginitis. By analysis of prospectively recorded clinical data pertaining to this group, Carroll, Hurley, and Stanley (1973) established clinicopathological criteria on which the diagnosis of mycotic vulvovaginitis, or vaginitis, might be soundly based.…”

Non-specific urethritis and the tetracyclines.

“…Candida cystitis has been discussed by Zinke, Furlow, and Farrow (1973). The significance of circulating antibody has more recently been investigated by Stanley, Hurley, and Carroll (1973) and Dolan and Stried (1973).…”