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Evaluation of the mannan antigen assay in neonates with or without Candida albicans colonization

Vasiliki Bourika1, Tania Siahanidou1, Kalliopi Theodoridou2

  • 1Neonatal Unit, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Medical Mycology
|January 3, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Mannan antigen (MA) testing shows high specificity for detecting invasive candidemia in neonates. This diagnostic marker could aid in identifying serious Candida infections in high-risk infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Invasive candidemia is a serious concern in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
  • Candida spp. infections affect 4% of NICU admissions.
  • Mannan antigen (MA) as a marker for invasive candidemia in neonates is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic performance of Mannan antigen (MA) testing.
  • To assess MA's utility in neonates with rectal Candida colonization versus controls.
  • To determine the specificity of the Platelia™ Candida AgPlus kit in a neonatal population.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 340 neonates.
  • Rectal swabs were cultured to identify Candida colonization.
  • Mannan antigen (MA) levels were measured using the Platelia™ Candida AgPlus kit.

Main Results:

  • MA testing demonstrated 96% specificity in neonates with *C. albicans* rectal colonization (24/25 positive).
  • MA testing showed 100% specificity in non-colonized neonates (30/30 positive).
  • The assay exhibited high specificity in the evaluated neonatal cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Mannan antigen (MA) testing presents high specificity for diagnosing invasive candidemia in neonates.
  • The Platelia™ Candida AgPlus kit shows potential as a valuable diagnostic tool.
  • This assay could assist clinicians in identifying candidemia in neonates at risk.
Keywords:
Candidacarriageinfantmannanneonate

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