Detection of Candida mannoproteinemia in patients with neutropenic enterocolitis.

Abstract

To assess the role of Candida spp. in the etiology of neutropenic enterocolitis complicating aggressive cytotoxic chemotherapy, a dot immunobinding assay for an immunodominant Candida mannoprotein antigen was employed in 20 patients with hematologic malignancies. Candida antigen was detected in at least one serum sample from 12 (60%) patients. Eleven (92%) patients were cured when an antifungal agent was added to the antibacterial treatment. In eight patients a selective anticandidal therapy with fluconazole was administered on the basis of positive Candida mannoproteinemia, and treatment was successful in all cases but one. Detection of Candida mannoproteinemia seems to be a useful diagnostic tool in patients with neutropenic enterocolitis and represents an additional tool for selecting a less empiric, low toxic antifungal treatment with fluconazole.

• Authors: C Girmenia, A Micozzi, C Cartoni, F De Bernardis, A Cassone, P Martino
• Journal: European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology (Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis) Vol. 18 Issue 1 Pg. 55-8 (Jan 1999) ISSN: 0934-9723 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 10192715 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antifungal Agents
• Antigens, Fungal
• Fungal Proteins

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Antifungal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Antigens, Fungal (blood)
• Candida (immunology)
• Candidiasis (blood, complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Child
• Enterocolitis (blood, complications, microbiology)
• Female
• Fungal Proteins (blood)
• Hematologic Neoplasms (blood, complications, microbiology)
• Humans
• Immunoblotting
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neutropenia (blood, complications, microbiology)
• Opportunistic Infections (blood, complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)