The Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol 9, Issue 3 303-308, Copyright © 1976 by Society for General Microbiology
Antibodies to Candida after operations on the heart
E. G. Evans and R. A. Forster
The occurrence of yeasts and antibodies to yeasts was studied in patients
undergoing open-heart surgery without antifungal prophylaxis, and in a
similar group receiving antifungal prophylaxis. An association was
demonstrated between the occurrence of commensal yeasts and the appearance
of antibodies. None of the patients developed overt systemic or superficial
yeast infection. The antigenic stimulus for the post-operative production
of antibodies appeared to be the increase in the yeast flora that occurred
shortly after operation. When the commensal yeast population was suppressed
by antifungal antibiotics, the antibody response was also reduced. The
implications of these findings in the interpretation of serological tests
for diagnosis of systemic yeast infections are discussed.
