Detection of Candida mannoproteinemia in patients with neutropenic enterocolitis.
To assess the role of Candida spp. in the etiology of neutropenic enterocolitis complicating aggressive cytotoxic chemotherapy, a dot immunobinding assay for an immunodominant Candida mannoprotein antigen was employed in 20 patients with hematologic malignancies. Candida antigen was detected in at least one serum sample from 12 (60%) patients. Eleven (92%) patients were cured when an antifungal agent was added to the antibacterial treatment. In eight patients a selective anticandidal therapy with fluconazole was administered on the basis of positive Candida mannoproteinemia, and treatment was successful in all cases but one. Detection of Candida mannoproteinemia seems to be a useful diagnostic tool in patients with neutropenic enterocolitis and represents an additional tool for selecting a less empiric, low toxic antifungal treatment with fluconazole.
Girmenia
C
C
Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Cellulari ed Ematologia, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Micozzi
A
A
Cartoni
C
C
De Bernardis
F
F
Cassone
A
A
Martino
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000097:blood*; D002175:Candida / Q000276:immunology*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D004760:Enterocolitis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000097:blood; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D005656:Fungal Proteins