Detection of Aspergillus flavus in soil by immunofluorescent staining.

Strains of Aspergillus flavus grown in soil in the presence of buried slides could be detected on the slides by fluorescent antibody techniques. Staining with A. flavus antiserum labeled with fluorescein, followed by examination with fluorescence microscopy revealed characteristic fluorescence at sites of distribution of the homologous fungus. The specificity of the reaction and the absence of nonspecific absorption of antibody to soil materials suggest that the method may be useful in studying the ecology of the soil microflora.