Detection of anti-Candida antibodies by the indirect immunofluorescence assay in patients with cancer in the orofacial region.

ABSTRACT

An indirect immunofluorescence assay was performed to detect antibodies to Candida albicans blastospores and germ tubes. Serum specimens were obtained from 82 patients with neoplastic diseases in the orofacial region and thrush of the oral mucosa. C. albicans was identified in the oral cavity of 63 patients investigated but serum anti-Candida antibodies were detected in only 23 of them. Serological examination showed that titers of antibodies to C. albicans blastospores ranged from 120 to 11280. High titers from 1640 to 11280 were detected in patients without antibiotic, cytostatic, or radiotherapeutic treatment. The titers of antibodies to C. albicans germ tubes ranged from 120 to 1640. Our results indicate that titers of antibodies to the C. albicans germ tubes were lower and were detected in a smaller number of patients.