Detection of Candida albicans anti-mannan antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for diagnosis of invasive candidiasis in human and cattle

Abstract

Invasive candidiasis (IC) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in human and animals, early diagnosis and management are a challenge. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the usefulness of Candida albicans anti-mannan antibodies testing by using ELISA in diagnosis of invasive candidiasis in human and cattle. Sixty-nine serum samples (45 from immunocompromised patients and 24 from diseased cattle suspected to suffer from systemic candidiasis) were examined by indirect ELISA to detect anti-mannan IgG and compared with the routine culture techniques. Mycological examination of different human and cattle biological samples (n=177) was performed while, C. albicans was detected in 69 % and 83 % of human and cattle respectively. The results of ELISA were 10 (22.2%) positive, 5 (11%) equivocal cases in human patients and 15 (62.5%) positive in diseased cattle. A positive serum IgG response for mannan antigens discriminated IC from exclusively candida positive cultures. In addition, the sequential observation of anti-mannan antibodies could contribute to early diagnosis of invasive candidiasis in human and cattle. In this way, more efficient management of IC and earlier initiation of antifungal therapy can be achieved