USEFULNESS OF SEROLOGIC TESTS IN DIAGNOSI S OF A CANDIDA-TROPICALIS SEPTICEMIA

In this study, we have evaluated the usefulness of eight serologic tes ts in the diagnosis of a Candida tropicalis septicaemia in a patient w ith acute myeloid leukaemia. Among the tests used, detection of mannos e and candida antigen in serum allowed a high degree of suspicion of i nfection, earlier than the isolation of this species on mycological Cu ltures from blood or oesophagic samples. Detection of anti-C. albicans antibodies was useless but low titres of anti-C. tropicalis antibodie s were abserved. In spite of early diagnosis and antifungal treatment, the complication of the disseminated candidiasis with a Pseudomonas a eruginosa septicaemia, concluded with the patient's exitus.