Serological tests in mycology
Serological tests have now gained importance in mycology because of the rapidity of results and these tests can serve as a pronostic indicator.
Serological methods utilise the reactions and properties of the serum. The serological tests are done either to demonstrate antigen or antibody in serum or body fluids of suspected fungal infection.
The specific immune response that results from exposure to cell wall, cytoplasmic o extracellular fungal antigen during infection can be used for diagnosis. By monitoring this response, prognosis of disease and outcome of therapy can be assessed.
There are different serological tests :
- Agllutination
- Immunodiffusion (ID)
- Complement fixation test (CFT)
- Enzyme linked immunosorbent asay (ELISA)
- Lateral flow assay (LFA)
- Counter immuno-electrophoresis (CIE)
- Radio immunosorbent assay (RIA)
The advantages of serological tests in mycology are :
- To interpret the clinical significance of positive cultures – to rule out lab contamination
- To identify new isolate when the ntibody is demonstrated against that particular antigen
- Rapid diagnosis
- Prognostic marker
Lateral flow tests also known as lateral flow immunochromatographic assays, are simple paper-based devices intended to detect the presence (or absence) of a target analyte in liquid sample (matrix).
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The fungal antigens and positive controls are used to detect antibodies in patient serum by the complement fixation (CF) procedure to aid in the diagnosis of four specific fungal diseases : Histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, coocidioidomycosis and aspergillosis.
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We propose qualitative or semi-quantitative test systems (titration) for the detection of antigens from different organisms and antibody against different organisms in patient samples.
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The immunodiffusion (ID) test, also called the Ouchterlony test, allows antigen detection.
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A latex fixation test, also called a latex agglutination assay or test (LA assay or test), is an assay used clinically in the identification and typing of many important microorganisms
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