Abstract
Agglutinating and precipitating antibodies against Candida albicans were measured in serial antemortem serum samples obtained during the last 1 to 5 months of life of 33 patients dying of acute leukemia at the National Cancer Institute between 1965 and 1967. Of the 23 patients who had visceral candidiasis on autopsy, 14 exhibited a significant rise in agglutinating antibody titer, and only 4 developed precipitating antibodies. None of the 10 patients who did not have visceral candidiasis on autopsy exhibited a rise in antibody titer before death. A correct antemortem diagnosis of visceral candidiasis was made in only four patients. A significant rise in antibody titer is a reliable indicator of visceral candidiasis and will increase the frequency with which an antemortem diagnosis of visceral candidiasis is made and thus will permit antifungal treatment to be administered. It is suggested that all patient groups that are at high risk with respect to fungal disease be followed with periodic determination of agglutinating antibody titer.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
