Clearances of Candida albicans-derived alpha- and beta-linked mannose residues in sera from patients with candidiasis.

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reacting with different Candida albicans mannan oligomannosidic epitopes were used to detect antigens in human sera. The first MAb reacted with alpha-linked mannose residues shared by mannoproteins, and the second displayed reactivity against beta-1,2-linked oligomannosides shared by phospholipomannan. Two latex agglutination tests performed after dissociation of serum immune complexes were 100% specific. In a retrospective analysis of 39 sera from 20 patients with candidiasis, each test detected seven patients; in combination, they detected ten. More than 60% of positive samples were positive with only one test. These results demonstrate that the clearance of Candida albicans antigens from the blood differs according to the type of oligomannoside and glycoconjugate. Antigen detection kits with MAbs to different Candida albicans mannan epitopes could provide a logical rationale to compensate for the transitory character of mannanemia detection during candidal infections.