Usefulness of serial antibody determinations in diagnosis of candidiasis as measured by discontinuous counterimmunoelectrophoresis using HS antigen

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Abstract
The candida antibody response was followed in 115 patients with different types of candidiasis by discontinuous counterimmunoelectrophoresis using HS antigen to learn whether any early antibody response occurs in systemic candidiasis and whether there are differences inthe antibody response in candidiasis involving different organ systems. Of 32 patients with systemic candidiasis, 23 (72%) had a rise in antibody titer within the 1st 2 wk of infection and that high titers were relatively insensitive indicators of infection. No differences were seen in the antibody response in different types of candidiasis. Patients with aspergillosis and torulopsosis had titer rises which were attributed to inapparent candida infection or cross-reacting antibody. A rise in titer was not seen in any patient with candida colonization, bacterial or viral infection, or no infection in contrast to titers .gtoreq. 1/1 or .gtoreq. 1/8 which were seen in these conditions.