Fungal serology in the elderly.
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.
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011233:Precipitin Tests
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000946:Antigens, Fungal