Serological tests in the diagnosis of fungal urinary tract infection

Fungus urine cultures were performed in 646 cases. In 50 we obtained a positive result. In 35 of these and in a control group of apparently healthy adults, we made serological studies using the following techniques: Immunodiffusion; counter immunoelectrophoresis, and immunofluorescence. 4 patients has positive precipitins against somatic and metabolic antigens. We obtained histological confirmation of deep candidiasis. In another 4 patients, the precipitins were positive against metabolic antigen only and further study failed to show deep candidiasis. In a further two cases we obtained positive titers using immunofluorescence; in 1 of these deep infection was confirmed. On no occasion in our study did the use of immunodiffusion and counter immunoelectrophoresis produce either false positive or false negative results against somatic antigen.