Cytoplasmic antigens for detection of candida

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a means of diagnosing Candida infection. In particular the present invention relates to a method of diagnosing Candida infection by measuring the levels of antibody to Candida cytoplasmic antigen present in a biological sample taken from a subject at risk of, or suspected to be suffering from a Candida infection.

1 . A method of diagnosing Candida infection, comprising the steps of: 
 a). obtaining a biological sample from a subject at risk of, or suspected to be suffering from, Candida infection, and    b). measuring the levels of antibody to Candida cytoplasmic antigen present in the biological sample.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step b) is by a technique selected from the group consisting of enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA or EIA), biligand binding (sandwich technique), fluorometric assay, chemiluminescent assay, immunochromatography, radialimmunodiffusion and radioimmunoassay (RIA).  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step b) is by ELISA or chemiluminescent assay.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , which utilises antigens expressed by Candida.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the antigen is the cytoplasmic antigen.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the antigen is immobilised on an inert surface, embedded in a gel, or conjugated to a molecule which imparts colour, fluorescence or radioactivity to the antigen.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the biological sample is selected from the group consisting of bone marrow, plasma, spinal fluid, lymph fluid, the external sections of the skin from respiratory, intestinal, and genitourinary tracts, tears, saliva, milk, blood; both whole blood and sera, blood cells, tumours and organs.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the biological sample is sera.  
     
     
         9 . A method for assessing the prognosis of Candida infection, comprising the steps of measuring the levels of antibody to Candida cytoplasmic antigen in a biological sample.  
     
     
         10 . A method of detecting the presence or absence of a Candida antibody comprising the steps of: 
 a). exposing a biological sample, which may include a Candida antibody, to an isolated cytoplasmic Candida antigen; and    b). detecting the reaction between antibody and antigen.    
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the step of detecting the reaction between further antibody(ies) and other Candida antigens.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the further antibody(ies) are to the cell wall antigen or purified immunodominant antigen (enolase).  
     
     
         13 . A method of diagnosing Candida infection, comprising the steps of: 
 a). obtaining a biological sample from a subject at risk of, or suspected to be suffering from, Candida infection, and    b). measuring the levels of antibody present in the biological sample to Candida cytoplasmic antigen in combination with measuring the levels of antibody to either cell wall antigen or immunodominant antigen (enolase) or both.    
     
     
         14 . A kit when used for detecting the presence or absence of a Candida antibody in a biological sample, comprising: 
 a). a biological sample collection device;    b). a cytoplasmic Candida antigen; and    c). means for detecting reaction between the antibody and antigen in the sample.    
     
     
         15 . A kit according to  claim 14 , further comprising buffering agents and ionic salts.  
     
     
         16 . A method of preparing a cytoplasmic antigen comprising the step of removing lipoproteins by chloroform extraction.