This test requires a blood draw, so please ensure you can refer to a phlebotomist in the clients area before you order this test.

The Immuno Candida test is designed to detect precipitating antibodies to the infectious fungus Candida.

Indications

Frequent use of:

• Antibiotics

• Oral contraceptives

• Refined carbohydrates

• Steroid medication

• Sugars

• Yeast-containing foods

Overview

A form of Candidiasis has emerged which manifests symptoms that are often systemic and cause considerable discomfort. It usually originates as an overgrowth of the fungal form of Candida occurring in the lower gastrointestinal tract.

This test comprises of two tests designed to assist physicians in diagnosing Polysystemic Chronic Candidiasis (P.C.C.) The procedures are:

• The ELISA test offers high sensitivity and specificity in detecting early stage P.C.C. thus allowing prompt initiation of therapy.

• The Immunodiffusion test confirms late stage P.C.C. when antibody levels have risen significantly. Both tests are run on each patient sample.

Practical

Specimen requirements:

Serum. Blood drawn.

Average processing time:

14 ±8 days

Research

• Abu-Elteen KH. The influence of dietary carbohydrates on in vitro adherence of four Candida species to human buccal epithelial cells. Microb Ecol Health Dis 2005; 17: 156-62.

• Jarvis WR. Epidemiology of Nosocomial Fungal Infections, with Emphasis on Candida Species. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 1995;20(6):1526-1530.

• Kennedy, M. J. and Volz, P.A., Effect of various antibiotics on gastrointestinal colonization and dissemination by Candida albicans, Sabouraudia, 23, 265–274, 1985.

• Lehmann PF, Reiss E. Comparison by Elisa of serum anti-Candida albicans mannan IgG levels of a normal population and in diseased patients. Mycopathologia. 1980;70(2):89-93.

• Montagna MT, Caggiano G, Borghi E, Morace G. The Role of the Laboratory in the Diagnosis of Invasive Candidiasis. Drugs. 2009;69(Supplement 1):59-63.

• Pires MFC, Corra B, Gambale W, Paula CR. Experimental model of Candida albicans (serotypes A and B) adherence in vitro. Braz J Microbiol 2001; 32: 163-9.

• Pizzo G, Giuliana G, Milici ME, Giangreco R. Effect of dietary carbohydrates on the epithelial adhesion of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei. New Microbiol 2000; 23: 63-71.

• Seelig MS. The role of antibiotics in the pathogenesis of Candida infections. The American Journal of Medicine. 1966;40(6):887-917.

• Seligmann, E., Virulence enhancement of Candida albicans by antibiotics and cortisone. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 1953. 83: p. 778–781. 68.

• Vojdani A, Rahimian P, Kalhor H, Mordechai E. Immunological cross reactivity between Candida albicans and human tissue. J Clin Lab Immunol. 1996;48(1):1-15.