Role of Candida Albicans Germ Tube Antibody in Diagnosis of Invasive Candidiasis in End Stage Liver Disease Patients.

Candida species are the leading cause of invasive fungal infections and a common cause of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. Invasive candidiasisis a highly lethal infection associated with mortality rates between 40 and 60 %. This study was conducted with aim of assessing the role of Candida albicans germ tube antibody (CAGTA) level in the early diagnosis of invasive candidiasis and in monitoring the efficacy of antifungal drugs in patients with end stage liver disease. Sixty two end stage liver disease patients were included in this study. Candida albicans germ tube antibody (CAGTA) test was done for all cases by indirect immunofluorescence technique, and it was positive with (titre ≥ 1/160) in 18 cases including the 10 blood culture positive cases. Compared to positive blood culture, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value and accuracy of CAGTA test were 100%, 84.6 %, 55.6 %, 100 % and 73.3 % respectively. Candida albicans germ tube antibody (CAGTA) test is sensitive and specific test, that can be used for early diagnosis of invasive candidiasis and in monitoring the effect of treatment with antifungal drugs in end stage liver disease patients.