COMPARATIVE IMMUNOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF DIFFERENT ANTIGENS OF DEEP MYCOSIS PATHOGENS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. C129  (2-3) , 287-300
Abstract
The disintegration of cells of Coccidioides immitis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis and Candida albicans by ultrasonic treatment, repeated freezing-thawing or mechanical methods yielded antigens with a high protein content. The treatment of these fungal cells with .beta.-naphthol, ethanol, glycerine or alkali yielded antigens containing mainly polysaccharides. The studied antigens were complex compounds. Proteins, glycoproteins, nucleoproteins and small quantities of P and nucleic acids were revealed. The protein-rich antigens were most active as inducers of a cellular and humoral immune response. These preparations were the most active and specific for DH [delayed hypersensitivity] testing. The polysaccharide-rich antigens were highly active in in vitro reactions but possessed a low immunogenecity. Immunoelectrophoretic analysis showed a mosaic character of antigen assembly in the preparations isolated from fungal cells and culture filtrates. In different antigens of C. immitis there were 4-7, in H. capsulatum 3-8 and in B. dermatitidis 3-6 components. The culture filtrates and cell-saps had a more complex antigenic spectrum: coccidioidin 7, histoplasmin 8, blastomycin 6; in C. albicans cell-sap up to 20 antigens were revealed. In the antigenic spectrum of C. immitis, H. capsulatum and B. dermatitidis common components prevailed, but in C. albicans no cross-reacting antigens were revealed. Species- and phase-specific antigens were found in preparations of H. capsulatum.

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