Evolution of antibody response and fungal antigens in the serum of a patient infected with Candida famata

Abstract

The presence of fungal antibodies and antigens in the serum of a patient diagnosed in 1996 with acute zonal occult outer retinopathy caused by Candida famata infection was examined. Antibodies against C. famata increased until 1999-2000 when antifungal treatment was initiated. The antibodies were detected by ELISA and immunofluorescence analysis using C. famata. These antibodies were not immunoreactive against several Candida species tested. Positive immunofluorescence was obtained with IgM, but not IgA, IgG or IgE. Moreover, the IgM response disappeared several months after treatment with antifungal compounds, despite the fact that C. famata antigens were present in the blood. Finally, a sensitive test was developed to assay for the presence of C. famata antigens in serum based on the immunodetection of fungal antigens transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane and incubated with rabbit antibodies raised against C. famata. According to this method, the infection diminished with antifungal treatment.