Invasive candidiasis (IC) is difficult to diagnose and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Blood cultures exhibit a sensitivity of only 50 % for diagnosing IC, and become positive late in the disease. Fungiplex Candida enables the rapid identification of Candida species from blood samples, without the need to wait for blood culture.
Invasive candidiasis is a disease which affects immuno-compromised and critical care patients. Conventional diagnostic techniques are not compatible with the timely diagnosis of IC, and exhibit poor sensitivity. Delays in initiating antifungal therapy in patients with candidaemia dramatically increase mortality rates. Empiric treatment is often used.
- Blood cultures exhibit poor sensitivity for diagnosing invasive candidiasis, and become positive late in the disease
- Delayed diagnosis of IC is associated with increased mortality
- Empiric treatment is often employed, which results in overuse of antifungal agents
PCR has shown promise for Candida detection, with improved diagnostic accuracy compared to culture and other biomarker tests, providing results within hours.
Fungiplex Candida is a multiplex real-time PCR assay, which rapidly detects the main causative species associated with IC, and differentiates those resistant to first-line treatment:
- Candida spp. (C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. dubliniensis, C. tropicalis)
- Candida glabrata
- Candida krusei