Abstract
Secreted phospholipases are virulence factors of several fungi, including Cryptococcus neoformans. We describe for the first time the detection by ELISA of antibodies to cryptococcal phospholipase B in the serum of patients infected with C. neoformans or C. gattii. Sixty-nine sera from 25 patients with cryptococcosis, 23 patients with Candida infections and 26 with bacterial or viral infections were tested. The sensitivity of the ELISA in patients with cryptococcosis was 100% in immunocompetent hosts and 64.3% in immunosuppressed patients with cryptococcal meningitis. Absorbance readings were significantly higher in immunocompetent patients (P<0.001). Titres remained positive for up to 2 years. Positive results were noted in 10 episodes of invasive candidiasis, three patients colonised with Candida, and three cases of bacterial infection. Mean absorbance readings were significantly lower in patients with bacterial infection (P<0.001). We conclude that phospholipase B is produced in vivo during cryptococcal infection and that serum phospholipase B antibodies are a sensitive marker of present or past infection. Cross-reactivity of the ELISA with sera from patients with candidiasis indicates that common epitopes are present on cryptococcal and candidal phospholipase B, hence fungal phospholipase B may constitute a new therapeutic target.