Immunological methods for the detection of structural components and metabolites of bacteria and fungi in blood
Gutiérrez, J.; Liébana, J.
Annales de Biologie Clinique 51(2): 83-90
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-3898 PMID: 8214814 Document Number: 410509
The clinical usefulness of immunological methods for the detection of structural components or metabolites of bacteria and fungi is reviewed. Detection of circulating antigens in bacterial infections and fungal infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus and Candida (including mannan, cytoplasmic and glycoprotein antigens) are discussed. Antibody detection methods such as passive haemagglutination, indirect immunofluorescence, counterimmunoelectrophoresis, ELISA and immunoblotting are considered. The detection of microbial metabolites by chromatography and endotoxin detection, and determination of other markers of infection, such as C reactive protein, angiotensin converting enzyme, fibronectin, elastase- alpha 1-antitrypsin complex, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6 and D-lactate are also covered.