Comparative immunochemical studies of different antigens of deep mycosis pathogens.

The disintegration of cells of Coccidioides immitis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis and Candida albicans by ultrasonical treatment, repeated freezing-thawing or mechanical methods permitted to obtain antigens with a high protein content. The treatment of these fungal cells with beta-naphthol, ethanol, glycerine or alkali makes it possible to isolate antigens containing mainly polysaccharides. The studied antigens turned out to be complex compounds. Proteins, glycoproteins, nucleoproteins and small quantities of phosphorus and nucleic acids were revealed in their composition. The protein-rich antigens were most active as inductors of a cellular and humoral immune response. These preparations turned out to be the most active and specific for DH testing. The polysaccharide-rich antigens were highly active in in vitro reactions but possessed a low immunogenecity. Immunoelectrophoretical 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 have been revealed 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 have been revealed. In the antigenic spectrum of C. immitis, H. capsulatum and B. dermatitidis common components prevailed, but in C. albicans no cross-reacting antigens have been revealed. Species- and phase-specific antigens have been found in preparations of H. capsulatum.