Abstract: Objective To establish a new method to diagnose deep candidiasis.Methods The titre of antibody to germ tube of Candida albicans in sera was detected by indirect immunofluorescent antibody(IFA)assay,then the result was compared with that of microcopic examination and culture of samples,and phospholipase activity of isolates.Results The positive ratio obtained by measurement of antibody correlated well(P<0.01)with that by the routine diagnostic method(microscopy+culture).The Pz value of extracellular phospholipase was significantly lower(P<0.05)in the infection group(both direct microscopic examination and culture were positive)than in the colonization group(direct microscopy was negative but culture was positive).The activity of extracellular phospholipase was associated(P<0.001)with the titre of antibody to germ tube in serum.Conclusion Detection of antibodies to germ tube of Candida albicans may be used to diagnose systemic candidiasis.

Key words: Candidiasis, Candida albicans, Antibodies,fungal