Immunoglobulin class of anti-Candida antibodies in patients with vaginal candidiasis.

Abstract

Studies of the immunoglobulin class of circulating anti-Candida antibodies in patients with vaginal candidiasis were undertaken with the aim of answering the question of whether these antibodies are predominantly IgA or IgG. Earlier work resulted in conflicting data that we felt would be clarified by the use of a quantitative technique, FIAX fluoroimmunoassay, which could objectively measure the relative amounts of antibody of each class. Results using this assay and the indirect immunofluorescence assay on whole Candida cells demonstrate that the immunoglobulin class distribution of the circulating anti-Candida antibodies of these patients is similar to that seen in other forms of Candida infection, the predominant antibody class being IgG.