Increased sensitivity of mannanemia detection tests by joint detection of alpha- and beta-linked oligomannosides during experimental and human systemic candidiasis.

An enzyme immunoassay (EIA)-the commercially available Platelia Candida antigen test-developed for the diagnosis of systemic candidiasis is based on the detection of alpha-linked oligomannose residues (alpha-Man) released from Candida cells into the serum. This test has good specificity but has to be repeated frequently because of the rapid clearance of detectable mannanemia. We have developed a second EIA based on detection of beta-linked oligomannoses (beta-Man), since beta-Man are linked to different Candida molecules and interact differently with the host immune system and endogenous lectins and should therefore present different kinetics of serum clearance.