Fungal serology in the elderly
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Published on: March 22, 2012
Abstract:
90 geriatric patients without any clinical signs of systemic fungal infection had their sera tested for the presence of candida and aspergillus precipitins and cryptococcal antigens. None of the patients had positive aspergillus or cryptococcal serology. 13% of patients were found to have candida precipitins, but these cases were not significantly correlated with candida colonisation, length of hospitalisation, prior antibiotic therapy, steroid therapy or diabetes. Allowing for 13% false positives, serological testing might be helpful in identifying systemic candidiasis. It is probably highly specific for parenchymal involvement by aspergillus or cryptococcus.
Insights
Serological testing in geriatric patients revealed 13% had candida precipitins, but this finding lacked correlation with clinical factors. This suggests serology may aid in detecting systemic candidiasis, especially in cases of invasive aspergillus or cryptococcus infections.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Clinical Immunology
- Mycology
Background:
- Systemic fungal infections pose a diagnostic challenge in geriatric populations.
- Current serological markers for fungal infections require further validation in elderly patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of serological tests for detecting systemic fungal infections in geriatric patients.
- To assess the correlation of candida precipitins with clinical factors in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Sera from 90 geriatric patients without clinical signs of systemic fungal infection were tested.
- Tests included assays for candida and aspergillus precipitins and cryptococcal antigens.
Main Results:
- No patients showed positive aspergillus or cryptococcal serology.
- 13% of patients tested positive for candida precipitins.
- Candida precipitin positivity did not significantly correlate with colonization, hospitalization duration, antibiotic use, steroid therapy, or diabetes.
Conclusions:
- Serological testing may be valuable for identifying systemic candidiasis in geriatric patients, accounting for a potential 13% false positive rate.
- The tested serology is likely highly specific for detecting parenchymal involvement by aspergillus or cryptococcus.
