Serum antigen and antibody to candida and number of candida in sputum and feces in patients with leukemia

in connection with respiratory candida infection

Abstract

Respiratory candida infection is one of the opportunistic infections in patients given antileukemic drugs. In this study, candida antigen and antibody in the serum and the number of candida in the sputum and feces were determined for the diagnosis of respiratory candida infection in patients with leukemia.
Patients with candida antigen (+) or antibody (+) were significantly (p<0.01) more numerous than in the control group (leukemia patients before treatment), but there was no correlation between candida antigen or antibody levels and candida respiratory infection. However, the incidence of respiratory candida infection was significantly (p<0.05) higher in patients with candida antigen (+) and antibody (-) than in those with antigen (-) and antibody (-). It was low in patients with candida antigen (+) and antibody (+). Increased numbers of candida in not only sputum but also feces were found (p<0.01) in those with respiratory candida infection even if the serum contained no candida antigen.
Thus, the diagnosis and prophylaxis of respiratory candida infection in patients given antileukemic drugs can be confirmed by a combination of various laboratory examinations.