Evaluation of the Ramco latex agglutination test in the early diagnosis of systemic candidiasis.

The value of the Ramco latex agglutination test in the diagnosis of systemic candidiasis was determined using 225 serum samples from 30 patients with systemic candidiasis, 81 serum samples from patients colonized with Candida albicans and 400 control serum samples from hospital patients with no evidence of Candida albicans infection. Results were positive (titres greater than or equal to 1:4) in 20 of the patients with systemic candidiasis; ten had titres of 1:8. Only one of the 81 sera from colonized patients was positive (titre greater than 1:4); this serum came from a patient with colonization of the intravenous catheter. No positive results (titres greater than 1:2) were obtained in the control sera once rheumatoid factor was excluded. The test reliably differentiated between colonization and systemic infection but failed to detect some cases of systemic infection. A poor detection rate was seen in cases where only one serum sample was taken. The importance of taking daily serum samples for continuous monitoring is emphasised. Rheumatoid factor positivity and intravenous line colonization should be excluded when interpreting a result.