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Antigenemia detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in rabbits with systemic candidiasis
Abstract:
To aid in the rapid, accurate, and early diagnosis of systemic and invasive Candida infections, a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed for the detection of circulating Candida antigens. The sensitivity for purified mannan was 0.1 to 1 ng/ml. No reactivity was seen with a variety of other fungal and bacterial antigen preparations. The assay was evaluated in normal or immunosuppressed rabbits with varying degrees of systemic candidiasis. All rabbits given infecting doses of 10(7) or 10(8) organisms were positive for Candida antigens with increasing titers until death. Rabbits given 10(6) organisms were variably and transiently positive. All control infected and uninfected rabbits were negative. This sensitive and specific technique detects Candida antigens in the serum of infected rabbits before widespread organ involvement occurs and should prove extremely valuable in the early diagnosis of systemic candidiasis.
Insights
A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detects circulating Candida antigens for rapid, accurate diagnosis of invasive candidiasis. This sensitive method identifies infections early, even before widespread organ involvement in rabbits.
Area of Science:
- Medical diagnostics
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Systemic and invasive Candida infections pose significant diagnostic challenges.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes.
- Current diagnostic methods may lack the sensitivity or speed required for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a sensitive and specific diagnostic assay for detecting circulating Candida antigens.
- To enable rapid and early diagnosis of systemic and invasive Candida infections.
- To evaluate the assay's performance in an animal model of candidiasis.
Main Methods:
- Development of a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Detection of circulating Candida antigens, specifically mannan.
- Evaluation of the assay in normal and immunosuppressed rabbits with induced systemic candidiasis.
Main Results:
- The assay demonstrated high sensitivity for purified mannan (0.1 to 1 ng/ml).
- No cross-reactivity was observed with other fungal or bacterial antigen preparations.
- In rabbits with systemic candidiasis, the assay detected Candida antigens, with increasing titers correlating with infection severity and preceding widespread organ involvement.
Conclusions:
- The developed ELISA is a sensitive and specific tool for detecting circulating Candida antigens.
- This assay facilitates early diagnosis of systemic candidiasis in a rabbit model.
- The technique holds significant potential for the rapid, accurate, and early clinical diagnosis of invasive Candida infections.