Detection of circulating antigen in patients with rhinosporidiosis.

A study was undertaken to demonstrate antibodies or antigen in the serum or plasma of 69 patients with rhinosporidiosis. These patients were divided into three groups, depending upon the duration of their illness. In 14 (46.7%) of 30 patients with 1-3 years of infection with R. seeberi, 18 (78.3%) of 23 patients with 4-9 years of infection and 16 (100%) of 16 patients with 10 or more years of infection, apparent rhinosporidial antigen was found in their serum or plasma by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE). No antibodies could be demonstrated, by immunodiffusion (ID) or by CIE, in the serum or plasma of the 69 patients. CIE was more sensitive for the detection of precipitating antigen than ID.