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A 96 Well Microtiter Plate-based Method for Monitoring Formation and Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Candida albicans Biofilms
Published on: October 21, 2010
[Comparative study of 2 technics for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis]
P Regúlez1, M C Arilla, J C García-Ruiz
1Departamentos de Enfermería I, Universidad del País Vasco, Lejona, Vizcaya.
Insights
Detecting anti-germ tube antibodies is more effective for diagnosing invasive candidiasis than the Candida Spot-IF test. This antibody test offers higher sensitivity and specificity for Candida albicans infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Immunology
- Diagnostic Medicine
Background:
- Invasive candidiasis diagnosis relies on accurate serological markers.
- Evaluating antibody detection methods is crucial for timely and effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the diagnostic performance of anti-germ tube antibodies versus the Candida Spot-IF test for invasive candidiasis.
- To assess the utility of these serological tests in different patient groups.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 121 sera from 62 patients, divided into invasive candidiasis and control groups.
- Indirect immunofluorescence assay for Candida Spot-IF and a laboratory-developed anti-germ tube antibody test.
- Comparative evaluation of sensitivity, specificity, and correlation between the two methods.
Main Results:
- Anti-germ tube antibodies detected in 82% of invasive candidiasis cases; Candida Spot-IF positive in 57%.
- Anti-germ tube antibody test showed 82% sensitivity and 94% specificity; Candida Spot-IF showed 57% sensitivity and 85% specificity.
- Poor correlation (R2 = 0.159) between the two methods; anti-germ tube antibodies performed better, especially in immunocompetent patients.
Conclusions:
- Detection of anti-germ tube antibodies is a more sensitive and specific method for invasive candidiasis serodiagnosis.
- Anti-germ tube antibody testing can be valuable for both diagnosis and monitoring of invasive candidiasis.
- The study highlights the limitations of Candida Spot-IF and the superiority of anti-germ tube antibody detection.
Background:
We evaluate test for the detection of antibodies against-Candida albicans by indirect immunofluorescence (Candida Spot-IF, BioMérieux, Lyon, France and a test developed in our laboratory to detect anti-germ tube antibodies) comparatively for the serodiagnosis of invasive candidiasis.
Methods:
A total of 121 sera from 62 patients were studied retrospectively. They were divided into two groups: group I included 71 sera from 28 patients with invasive candidiasis and group II, used as control, included 50 sera from 34 patients with non-invasive candidiasis or without evidence of infection by Candida.
Results:
Eighty-two percent of group I samples presented anti-germ tube antibodies and 57% of the patients in this group were positive by the Candida Spot-IF test. Both techniques were negative in 5 patients. Five patients in group II showed false positive results by Candida Spot-IF and two of them presented anti-germ tube antibodies also. Both techniques presented a poor correlation (R2 = 0.159; p < 0.001). Detection of anti-germ tube antibodies showed a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 94% and Candida Spot-IF showed a sensitivity of 57% and a specificity of 85%. Detection of anti-germ tube antibodies in immunocompetent patients showed a sensitivity of 90% but it decreased to 62% in immunocompromised patients. With the Candida Spot-IF test the sensitivity was 70 and 25%, respectively.
Conclusions:
The detection of anti-germ tube antibodies was more sensitive and specific than detection of antibodies by the Candida Spot-IF test and it can be used for the serodiagnosis and follow up of patients with invasive candidiasis.
