Abstract: A D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme is disclosed. The enzyme is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol and is substantially free of other enzymes capable of oxidizing D-mannitol. Also disclosed are methods for determining D-arabinitol. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of providing in combination (1) a medium suspected of containing D-arabinitol and (2) a D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme and examining the medium for the product of the oxidation of the D-arabinitol. The enzyme utilized is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol. Kits for conducting the present method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme is disclosed. The enzyme is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol and is substantially free of other enzymes capable of oxidizing D-mannitol. Also disclosed are methods for determining D-arabinitol. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of providing in combination (1) a medium suspected of containing D-arabinitol and (2) a D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme and examining the medium for the product of the oxidation of the D-arabinitol. The enzyme utilized is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol. Kits for conducting the present method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme is disclosed. The enzyme is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol and is substantially free of other enzymes capable of oxidizing D-mannitol. Also disclosed are methods for determining D-arabinitol. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of providing in combination (1) a medium suspected of containing D-arabinitol and (2) a D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme and examining the medium for the product of the oxidation of the D-arabinitol. The enzyme utilized is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol. Kits for conducting the present method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A D-arabinitol dehydrogenase enzyme is prepared that is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-arabinitol and substantially incapable of catalyzing the oxidation of D-mannitol and is substantially free of other enzymes capable of oxidizing D-mannitol. The enzyme is preferably obtained from Candida tropicalis ATCC 750 or Candida shehatae. The enzyme may also be obtained by recombinant DNA technology. Monoclonal antibodies are produced against the enzyme and can be used to identify the enzyme. The enzyme is used for detecting the presence of Candida in a host such as detecting Candida infection in a patient by determining the presence of D-arabinitol in a sample. The oxidation of D-arabinitol by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD.sup.+) is catalyzed by the enzyme and the amount of NADH produced in a given time is determined. Also prepared is a composition containing the enzyme and NAD.sup.+ and a kit containing a packaged combination of the enzyme and NAD.sup.+.