A patient has a positive response to a Candida test, in addition to a positive purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test. Which interpretation of this result is correct?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The positive response to both the Candida test and the PPD skin test indicates that the patient's immune system is capable of responding to antigens, making the PPD test reliable. A positive Candida test rules out anergy (a lack of reaction by the body's defense mechanisms to foreign substances), and while it suggests exposure to Candida, it does not confirm an active Candida infection. Similarly, a positive PPD test indicates exposure to tuberculosis bacteria but does not confirm active tuberculosis infection without further evidence.

A Patient Has a Positive Response to a Candida Test