Q: I am suffering from intestinal and visible oral candida infections. Are the following diagnostic tests available in India? Candida antibodies, D-Arabinose or D-Arabinol Urinary or Serum?

A:These investigations are not available as a routine as yet. Detection of Candida antibodies has been disappointing so far, and the detection of metabolites like D-arabinol has been shown to be useful, but impractical. The best diagnostic test for candida in most labs still depends on fungal microscopy (KOH mount) and culture.