Detection of candida serum precipitins by counterimmunoelectrophoresis: an adjunct in determining significant candidiasis

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Abstract
The use of counterimmunoelectrophoresis for the detection and quantitation of Candida serum precipitins in 164 patients is reported. Group I consisted of 24 patients with significant candidiasis; group II consisted of 97 patients with colonization or transient candidemia; and group III consisted of 43 subjects with noncandida systemic mycoses, bacterial infections and normal controls. Prospective studies were done in 10 patients. Double immunodiffusion was performed in all cases. Ratios of counterimmunoelectrophoresis precipitin detection were significantly different between groups I and II and groups I and III (P < 0.001). Precipitin titers of .gtoreq. 1:8 were found more often in group I as compared to group II or III (P < 0.001). All prospectively studied patients who developed significant candidiasis had peak precipitin titers of .gtoreq. 1:8 (> 4-fold titer increase) during the period of observation. Quantitation of Candida serum precipitins by counterimmunoelectrophoresis is helpful in diagnosing significant candidiasis.