Candida is yeast that occurs naturally in the body and is present in the intestinal tract from birth. Candida normally resides along with bacterial flora which co-exist and its growth is normally limited by the immune system or other balanced bacteria. Excess stress, use of antibiotics, oral contraceptives, allergies and viral infections may exacerbate the growth of yeast.

Candida overgrowth is the most common cause of systemic fungal infection and accounts for 80% of all major systemic fungal infections.  Symptoms may be attributed to food sensitivity because the invasive fungi can increase rapidly in number and permeate the digestive tract.  Diets high in simple carbohydrates have been found to increase rates of oral candidiasis. 

Mild, chronic and polysystemic candidiasis can be positively diagnosed by the determination of high serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies against Candida antigens. Immune complexes are clusters of interlocking antigens and antibodies.  Normally, immune complexes are rapidly removed from the bloodstream. Sometimes, however, they continue to circulate, and eventually become trapped in the tissues of the kidneys, the lungs, skin, joints, or blood vessels. There they set off reactions with complement that lead to inflammation and tissue damage.

Analytes tested:

Candida Albicans - IgG, IgA, IgM

The most commonly produced antibodies in humans are IgM, IgA and IgG.

IgG 

The IgG antibody generally appears about a week after exposure. This is the most abundant class of immunoglobulins. Elevated IgG is consistent with exposure to Candida.

Elevated IgG = Previous exposure or ongoing or chronic overgrowth

IgA
The IgA antibody is found in the body's mucosal surfaces which include gastrointestinal, oropharyngeal, respiratory, genital and urinary tracts. Elevated IgA antibodies are associated with mucosal Candida overgrowth.

Elevated IgA = Mucosal surface exposure

IgM
The IgM antibody is the body's initial defense against infection, usually detectable in the bloodstream several days to a week after initial exposure. Elevated levels of IgM may indicate an acute response to Candida.

Elevated IgM = Recent Candida exposure

Sample required:

Bloodspot

Requires a sample collected from pricking a finger and dropping blood on to a collection card. No phlebotomy service required. Patient can collect the sample themselves

Methdology used:

ELISA

Average processing time:

21 days