[Predictive potential of positive values in the latex agglutination test for Candida antigen (Cand-Tec)]

The correlation of Cand-Tec (candida antigen detection) with clinical findings and results in passive hemagglutination and immunoelectrophoresis (antibody detection) has been evaluated retrospectively. Based on mycological findings, 33 patients with a Cand-Tec titer were classified into five groups. Systemic antimycotic therapy was another criterion. Using a titer of greater than or equal to 1:8 as diagnostic of systemic or local candidal infection, the positive predictive value was 33% and 55% respectively. However, a titer of greater than or equal to 1:8 correlated significantly (p less than 0.05) with infection (systemic, presumably systemic and local candidiasis, n = 3). The combined findings of an antigen titer of greater than or equal to 1:8 and antibodies to cytoplasmatic protein antigens of candida correlated even better with infection (p less than 0.02) and had a positive predictive value of 100%. Antigen and antibody determination may be useful adjunctive procedures in the diagnosis of candida infections.