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Antigenemia in paracoccidioidomycosis
G Freitas-da-Silva1, M C Roque-Barreira
1Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|February 1, 1992
Summary
Detecting Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pcm) antigens in serum can indicate disease activity. This method shows promise for evaluating Pcm
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Severe paracoccidioidomycosis (Pcm) involves immune dysfunction and non-protective antibodies.
- Circulating antigens of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis may contribute to immune response alterations in active Pcm.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the presence and levels of fungal antigens in the serum of Pcm patients.
- To assess the potential clinical utility of antigen detection for monitoring Pcm activity.
Main Methods:
- A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA-c) was developed to detect Pcm antigens.
- The assay sensitivity was established at 6 ng of antigen per ml of serum.
- Eighty-eight serum samples from Pcm patients were tested for antigenemia.
Main Results:
- Twenty-seven out of 88 serum samples (30.7%) tested positive for Pcm antigens.
- Higher antigen levels (0.03 to 3.4 µg/ml) and positivity frequency were observed in severe acute Pcm.
- A correlation between serum antigen levels and disease progression was noted in one follow-up case.
Conclusions:
- The developed ELISA-c method shows potential for clinical application in evaluating Pcm disease activity.
- Quantifying fungal antigens in serum offers an objective parameter for studying Pcm pathophysiology.
- Further validation is needed, considering observed false-positive reactions in other fungal infections.