ANTIBODY-RESPONSE TO CANDIDA AND ITS USE IN CLINICAL-PRACTICE

Reference values for specific IgM, IgA and IgG antibodies against thre e defined Candida antigens were determined in 280 healthy Swedish chil dren aged 1 month to 15 years. The antibody response in 10 children wi th Candida infections was also determined. Precipitating IgG antibodie s to a mannan-free Candida protein antigen were detected only in child ren with Candida infection. The haemagglutinating IgM antibody respons e in healthy children to a polysaccharide Candida antigen was weak. Ad ult levels of less than or equal to 320 (95% confidence interval, CI) were not reached even in the oldest children (less than or equal to 16 0). All children with Candida infections had elevated IgM titres. Adul t levels of IgA antibodies to Candida mannan were reached at 10-12 yea rs of age; at 13-15 years the titres were higher (less than or equal t o 1600) than in healthy adults (less than or equal to 1000, 95% CI). A ll children with an acute Candida infection had elevated IgA titres. O ur study shows that antibody testing may be used to diagnose systemic Candida infection in children and to follow the progression and resolu tion of systemic Candida infection with the rise and fall of antibody titres.