Antigenic variation of a major surface glycoprotein of Pneumocystis carinii.

The mannosylated surface glycoprotein (gp) of Pneumocystis carinii has one known conserved epitope that is recognized by the monoclonal antibody 85-1-5E12. The gp exhibits host species-specific antigenic variation, exhibits host species-specific collagenase sensitivity, and varies in size depending on the host of origin and the method of preparation. These data support the existence of host species-specific serotypes of P. carinii.