Cytoplasmic antigens for detection of Candida

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a means of diagnosing Candida infection. In particular the present invention relates to a method of diagnosing Candida infection by measuring the levels of antibody to Candida cytoplasmic antigen present in a biological sample taken from a subject at risk of, or suspected to be suffering from a Candida infection.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a method and a means of diagnosing Candida infection. In particular the present invention relates to a method of diagnosing Candida infection which is both sensitive and rapid. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]Candida is the most commonly identified causative agent of oral or vaginal thrush. However, over the last few decades Candida has emerged as a significant cause of life-threatening infections in hospital patients. Ironically the increasing incidence of these “invasive” or “systemic”Candida infections has been advances in modern medicine. Patients that are now surviving major injuries, surgery, cancers and organ transplants are vulnerable to life-threatening Candida infections. In the United States, Candida is now the fourth most common cause of blood infections in hospitals. [0003] The major problem with systemic Candida infections is that there are few definitive clinical signs or symptoms. Treatment is largely b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] In its most general aspect, the invention disclosed herein provides a simple and rapid method for diagnosis of Candida infection. The method of diagnosis of Candida infection may be used to screen large numbers of samples for possible infection.

[0015] Antibody levels may be measured using known techniques of immunology including enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA or EIA), biligand binding (sandwich technique), fluorometric assay, chemiluminescent assay, immunochromatography, radialimmunodiffusion or radioimmunoassay (RIA). ELISA, immunochromatography or chemiluminescent assay methods are particularly preferred, since these are quick, sensitive, and specific, and are readily automated for large-scale use. These methods also provide quantitative determinations.

Problems solved by technology

However, over the last few decades Candida has emerged as a significant cause of life-threatening infections in hospital patients.

Patients that are now surviving major injuries, surgery, cancers and organ transplants are vulnerable to life-threatening Candida infections.

The major problem with systemic Candida infections is that there are few definitive clinical signs or symptoms.

The high rate of mortality is largely due to the rapid onset of infection and a rapidly fatal outcome.

Without an accurate diagnosis the infection often goes unnoticed until it is too late to effectively treat.

The main difficulty in the diagnosis of Candida infections is that being a commensal, mere isolation of Candida from body surfaces, or orifices, is not diagnostic of an infection.

However, it can take several days for a culture to become positive, by then it may be too late to effectively treat the infection.

Also, false positives may occur due to contamination from superficial body sites.

However, those methods are not useful for early diagnosis.

However, as arabinitol is produced by the human body, further clinical studies have cast doubt on its value.

However, PCR has not established itself as a useful diagnostic method for Candida for the same reasons as outlined above ie Candida is a ubiquitously present microorganism and false positives, due to superficial contamination, are prevalent.

However, these assays lack either sensitivity or specificity or both.

However, as Candida is a commensal, most individuals have antibody to Candida mannan, so its usefulness in the diagnosis of systemic infection is limited.

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