title: The importance of serological tests implementation in disseminated candidiasis diagnose.
abstract: Candidiasis is defined as an infection or disease caused by a fungus of the genus Candida. Rate of disseminated candidiasis increases with the growth of the number of immunocompromised patients. In the the last few decades the incidence of disseminated candidiasis is in growth as well as the mortality rate. The aim of this survey is to show the importance of serological tests implementation in disseminated candidiasis diagnose. This is a prospective study involving 60 patients with malign diseases with and without clinical signs of disseminated candidiasis and 30 healthy people who represent the control group. Apart from hemoculture, detection of circulating mannan antigen and adequate antibodies of Candida species applying comercial ELISA test was determined in each patient. This survey deals with relevant factors causing disseminated candidiasis. This survey showed that the group of patients with clinical signs of disseminated candidiasis had more patients with positive hemoculture to Candida species, then the group of patients without clinical signs of disseminated candidiasis. The number of patients being examined and positive to antigens and antibodies was higher (p < 0.01) in the group of patients with clinical signs of disseminated candidiasis (7/30; 23.3%), then in the group of patients without clinical signs of disseminated candidiasis (0/30; 0%): Average value of titra antigen was statistically higher (p < 0.001) in patients with Candida spp. positive hemocultures rather then in patients with Candida spp. negative hemocultures. In the group of patients with clinical signs of disseminated candidiasis 6/30 (20%) of patients had Candida spp.positive hemocultures while in the group of patients without clinical signs of disseminated candidiasis 1/30 (3.3%) of patients had Candida spp. positive hemocultures, which was considerably higher (p < 0.05). Correlation of results of hemoculture and mannan antigens and antibodies in patients with disseminated candidiasis were statistically significant, while correlation of results of hemoculture and antibodies was insignificant. Because of low sensitivity of hemoculture and time needed for isolation of Candida spp., introducing serological tests in regular procedures would speed disseminated candidiasis diagnose.
authors.affiliation: Tuzla University Clinic Centre, Clinic for Laboratory Diagnosis, Department of Microbiology, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. merima.gegic@gmail.com
authors.forename: Merima
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gegić
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Numanović
authors.forename: Zineta
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Delibegović
authors.forename: Nijaz
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tihić
authors.forename: Mahmut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nurkić
authors.forename: Mirsada
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hukić
mesh_terms: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D001831:Body Temperature; D002175:Candida / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008351:Mannans / Q000737:chemistry; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests
chemical_list: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D008351:Mannans