Early diagnosis of invasive candidiasis and rapid evaluation of antifungal therapy by combined use of conventional chromogenic limulus test and a newly developed endotoxin specific assay.

Since beta-1,3-glucan is a common component of fungal cell wall, its detection might be useful in diagnosing invasive candidiasis. Not only endotoxin but beta-1,3-glucan activates proclotting enzyme contained in a conventional chromogenic limulus test (CCLT). Endotoxin activates this enzyme through factor C, while the beta-1,3-glucan activates through factor G. Since endotoxin specific test (EST) contains factor C, endotoxin would be quantified. By subtracting EST value from CCLT value, beta-1,3-glucan would be quantified. We named this value Fungal Index (FI), and examined if it actually reflects the candidal infection. Ninety-two patients were tested for CCLT and EST prospectively. FI increased significantly in candidal infection (p less than 0.05) but remained low in GNR infection. Moreover, FI increased proportionally to the severity of candidal infection. Elevated FI decreased when antifungal therapy was successful. Thus FI was a useful index not only in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis but also in the evaluation of antifungal therapy.