الفهرس 
Microbiology of Candida InfectionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Background: The incidence of candidiasis has been increasing over the past 2 decades. In addition, Candida species accounts for the fourth most common cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections after Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus. Candida species are ubiquitous and constitute part of the normal human flora. Only a small percentage of the identified species cause disease in humans. Invasive candidiasis is a life-threatening infection associated with high mortality rates. Candida species is responsible for an extremely large spectrum of diseases. Measurement of the serum (1, 3) - β -D-glucan (BG) is a non-invasive testing for circulating fungal cell wall components, that allows the systemic screening and prompt identification of fungal infections, using one serum sample by activation of serine proteases that cleaves p-nitroaniline from the peptide substrate found in Limulus amebocyte lysate reagent found in the Kit, free p-nitroaniline is then measured, with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 90%.
Objectives: The aim of the work is to evaluate the serum (1,3)- β -glucan assay as an effective marker to aid in the early screening and diagnosis of candidiasis in comparison with candida colonization index.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the BG assay is a useful screening tool with high sensitivity and specificity compared to candida colonization index for discriminating between patients with and without Invasive candidiasis to start antifungal therapy in early and appropriate time, In clinical practice, BG assay results should be evaluated together with clinical and microbiological findings. Certain issues regarding the optimal utilization of BG testing require further evaluation, especially the optimal sampling strategy for patients who are at high risk, also, blood cultures should be re-evaluated as a standard diagnosis for invasive candidiasis.