A rapid passive hemagglutination method for demonstrating serum antibodies to Candida albicans.

Soluble components from disrupted cells of Candida albicans, a yeast-like fungus which is a normal commensal in the throat and nasopharynx were conjugated by bis-diazotized benzidine to turkey erythrocytes to produce sensitized particles capable of reacting with specific serum anti-Candida factors. The rapid sedimentation of conjugated nucleated turkey cells in the presence of antibody permits hemagglutination titers to be read in less than an hour. Preliminary results indicate that this test which offers speed, specificity, and reproducibility may be of importance in monitoring changes in levels of anti-Candida factors in human sera.