[Usefulness of biological markers in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis].
BACKGROUND
The laboratory diagnosis of invasive candidiasis is based on the demonstration of tissue invasion by Candida, the culture of the fungus in specimens from sterile body sites and the detection of a number of biomarkers including some antibodies, mannan, beta-1,3-D-glucan and Candida DNA.


OBJECTIVE
Description and evaluation of results obtained in published studies on the usefulness of biomarkers in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis.


METHODS
A search was performed in the PubMed/Medline database from the National Library of Medicine since January 2000 on the usefulness of biomarkers in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis. Key words used included candidiasis, Candida, diagnosis, biomarkers, antigen, antibodies, DNA, mannan, and beta-1,3-D-glucan.


RESULTS
Forty one papers dealing with the use of biomarkers in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis were selected and evaluated, paying special attention to the sensitivity and specificity obtained with the tests used.


CONCLUSIONS
Important advances are being reached in the use of biomarkers for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis, and some of them are being used to start a preemptive therapy strategy.
Pontón
José
J
Departamento de Inmunología, Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina y Odontología, Universidad del País Vasco, Vizcaya, España. jose.ponton@ehu.es
D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry; D002175:Candida / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D016469:Fungemia / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008351:Mannans / Q000097:blood; D051379:Mice; D011509:Proteoglycans; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D015415:Biomarkers; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D008351:Mannans; D011509:Proteoglycans; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D047071:beta-Glucans; C010770:polysaccharide-K