title: The role of the laboratory in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis.
abstract: A diagnosis of invasive candidiasis can be achieved using conventional approaches (microscopy, culture, serology), as well as new methods, including antigen detection and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Most of the conventional approaches lack sensitivity, especially for obtaining a diagnosis of invasive candidiasis in immunocompromised patients. Antigen detection and PCR assays represent a valid alternative, in terms of their high potential sensitivity and specificity, but these procedures still need to be standardized and evaluated in a large number of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy. mtm@igiene.uniba.it
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Montagna
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caggiano
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Borghi
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morace
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D002175:Candida / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D006801:Humans; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal