Pathophysiological studies of bronchial asthma Part 1. Measurement and evaluation of Candida-specific IgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

To evaluate IgG-related mechanisms in bronchial asthma, Candida-specific IgG antibodies were estimated in 130 patients with bronchial asthma, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In 41 healthy subjects, the levels of Candida-specific IgG antibodies were 0.595±0.465. In 130 asthmatics, the levels of Candida-specific IgG antibodies were 0.792±0.524. The difference in the levels of Candida-specific IgG antibodies between healthy subjects and asthmatics was more remarkable in cases from 0-20 years and 41-50 years of age. In cases with a negative delayed skin reaction to Candida, the levels of Candida-specific IgG antibodies were higher than in cases with a positive delayed skin reaction. There was a slight, but not significant correlation between the levels of Candida-specific IgG antibodies and disease severity. There was a significant correlation between the levels of Candida-specific IgG antibodies and precipitating antibodies to Candida. In conclusion, the analysis of Candida-specific IgG antibodies is useful in the evaluation of the pathophysiological mechanisms of bronchial asthma.