CANDIDURIA IN NON-NEUTROPENIC CRITICALLY-ILL SURGICAL PATIENTS - DETECTION OF IGA, IGG AND IGM ANTIBODIES TO CANDIDA-ALBICANS BY GERM TUBE IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE

The significance of indirect immunofluorescence using Candida albicans germ tube as well as blastospore antigens in the diagnosis of isolate d candiduria in non-neutropenic, critically ill surgical patients was assessed. Ten patients with isolated candiduria, 12 with systemic cand idosis and 10 with multifocal muco-cutaneous candidosis were included in the study. The sera of another 10 critically-ill patients with no s igns of candidosis served as controls. The patients' sera were tested for IgG, ISA and IgM antibodies. The results obtained confirmed indire ct germ tube that immunofluorescence is a useful procedure for differe ntiating systemic candidosis from colonisation of the urinary tract. I ndirect immunofluorescence with blastospores? although more sensitive than germ tube immunofluorescence, cannot distinguish muco-cutaneous c andidosis from systemic candidosis. Therefore, indirect germ tube immu nofluorescence is regarded a useful complementary test to evaluate can diduria in nonneutropenic, HIV-negative, critically ill patients.