Mast cell sensitizing antibody (MCSAb) response in experimental candidiasis: chromatographic studies.

A single dose of the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans (CA), mixed with Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA), and inoculated into guinea-pig foot-pads, provoked the productions of homologous mast cell sensitizing antibodies (MCSAb) present in the psiI-globulin fraction only, and of agglutinins localized in the same fraction. Heterologous MCSAb and skin-sensitizing antibodies detectable by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) were constantly absent. These facts are in contradiction to results of previous experiments performed with other antigens; which after similar inoculation elicited production of heterologous MCSAb attaching themselves on rat mast cells (MC) and present in the psi2 fast moving globulin, homologous MCSAb localized in the psiI-globulin and in the psi2 fast moving globulin, and PCA antibodies. The immunogenicity of CA is discussed.