Testing for Candida albicans

Candida is a highly diverse genus of yeasts encompassing hundreds of different species, around 20 of which can cause disease in humans, most commonly Candida albicans. Candida albicans is found as part of the normal flora on the skin, vaginal lining and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. However, over the last thirty or so years, the incidence of conditions that may involve Candida albicans has been increasingly rising.

Factors favouring the development of health problems caused by Candida include:

an unhealthy diet: a diet rich in refined sugars, processed food and alcohol
long-term and frequent antibiotic use (antibiotics “kill” beneficial probiotic bacteria in the gut, disrupting the gut microbiome and allowing Candida albicans to increase)
use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medicines
hormonal changes (frequent infections during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy)
hormone replacement therapy during menopause also favours the development of Candida albicans
stress, particularly prolonged stress, exhausts the immune system; as an additional response to stressful situations, normal digestive-system secretions become more acidic and peristalsis slows, jeopardising the growth and development of beneficial probiotic bacteria
the presence of chronic diseases: diabetes, malignant diseases…
systemic fungal infections are significant in immunocompromised patients (transplant patients)

Split

Dugopolje

Zadar

Šibenik

021 688 888

Zagreb

Varaždin

01 2099 880

Rijeka

051 309 309

[email protected]

When the balance of physiological mechanisms is disturbed, a normal inhabitant of our flora becomes opportunistically pathogenic and clinical symptoms may appear, affecting various organ systems:

– digestive system: bloating, constipation and/or diarrhoea, difficulty digesting food, bad breath, bleeding gums, a metallic taste in the mouth, fluid retention, difficulty maintaining body weight, irritable bowel syndrome, itching around the anus

– respiratory system: chronic cough, sore throat, chronic rhinitis and sinusitis, allergies

– cardiovascular system: blood pressure variations, frequent palpitations

– musculoskeletal system: chronic joint and/or muscle pain, arthritis, athlete’s foot

– gynaecological/urological: frequent prostatitis in men or cystitis in women

– hormonal disorders: hypothyroidism, menstrual cycle disorders

– metabolic disorders: hypoglycaemia, impaired absorption of B vitamins

– neurological/psychological: depression, anxiety, poor memory and concentration, frequent headaches and migraines, panic attacks, dizziness

– skin: acne, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, fungal nail and skin infections, unpleasant body odour

– autism and ADHD in children

Recognising that Candida represents a serious health problem and underlies numerous health disorders that we are unable to treat adequately despite appropriate therapy, Poliklinika Analiza introduced a diagnostically specific and sensitive serological blood test measuring three types of antibodies to Candida albicans:

– IgM antibodies are the first antibodies produced after primary exposure to Candida. Their role is to activate complement and also help the phagocytic system eliminate the pathogen. They are positive in primary, acute infections caused by Candida albicans, although they may also occur in reinfection (a repeat infection), when their level will not be as high as in acute infection

– IgG antibodies are produced when the level of IgM antibodies decreases and indicate chronic (past infection). They may remain permanently positive as a sign of previous disease

– IgA antibodies are found in mucosal secretions and are important for local mucosal immunity. Although they account for only 15-20% of human serum immunoglobulins, high levels of specific serum IgA antibodies against Candida are thought to be associated with Candida infections of the gastrointestinal, respiratory and urogenital mucous membranes

Suspect Candida? Call us on 021 688 888 or 01 2099 880 for free consultations today!