Candida Antibodies IgG, IgM & IgA, Serum

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen commonly found in the human gastrointestinal and female lower genital tracts. It can colonise, infect, and persist on mucosal surfaces, and stimulate mucosal immune responses. One important virulence factor of C. albicans is believed to be its ability to switch reversibly from a unicellular yeast form into various filamentous forms, all of which can be found in tissues. An increasing incidence of fungal infections with Candida species has been noted in immunocompromised patients such as intensive care, postsurgical, and neutropenic patients. The role of antibodies in resistance to candidiasis is poorly understood, however, the detection of Candida specific antibodies is useful in the diagnosis of systemic infection.

Antibodies appear to play an important role in host defence against disseminated candidiasis. Individuals with defects in cell-mediated immunity mechanisms are particularly prone to superficial but not disseminated candidiasis. Testing for Candida antibodies can be diagnostic for candidiasis.

2 ml Serum Room Temperature

IgA & IgM: Not detectable: < 8.5 - 11.5 U/mL Borderline: 8.5 - 11.5 U/mL Detectable: > 11.5 U/mL IgG : Negative: < 25 U/mL Borderline : 25-30 U/mL Positive : > 30 U/mL