Candida Immune Complex

Candida immune complexes which form in vivo are comprised of Candida albicans antigen, anti-candida IgG antibodies, and complement. The presence of these complexes is an indication of overgrowth of Candida albicans in the gut. Candida overgrowth was first described by brabander and associates in 1957. Diagnosis of the condition has been difficult due to the ubiquitous nature of candida resulting in the existence of antibodies to it in a large percentage of the "normal population". It is also difficult to isolate by culture from stool due to the overgrowth by normal intestinal flora. The symptoms of candida intestinal overgrowth include bloating, itching, and skin rashes. Lehman and Reiss suggested that the presence of immune complexes to candida is an objective means of diagnosing the condition. The results of Broughton and Lanson have concluded that the marker for candida immune complexes not only aid in diagnosing intestinal overgrowth, but that levels of complexes decrease during successful treatment of the condition.