Cross-reactivity between antigens of Coccidioides immitis, Histoplasma capsulatum and Blastomyces dermatitidis in lymphocyte transformation assays. 1979

R A Cox

The cross-reactivity of four Coccidioides antigens, three Histoplasma antigens, and two Blastomyces antigens were determined in lymphocyte transformation assays of 11 coccidioidin-reactive, histoplasmin-nonreactive subjects (group I), 13 coccidioidin-nonreactive, histoplasmin-reactive persons (group II), and 13 subjects who were skin test negative to both antigens (group III). Mycelial and yeast (or spherule)-phase antigens of the three fungi were included. Significant cross-reactivity was obtained with both coccidioidins, spherulin, and the alkali-soluble, water-soluble cell wall antigen of C. immitis, to the extent that the responses of histoplasmin-reactive persons were not statistically different (P > 0.05) from those of coccidioidin-reactive persons. In contrast, optimal dilutions of Histoplasma mycelial and yeast-phase lysates effectively distinguished (P < 0.01) responses of histoplasmin- and coccidioidin-reactive persons. The alkali-soluble cell wall antigen of H. capsulatum showed extensive cross-reactivity at most concentrations and was markedly stimulatory to lymphocytes of skin test-negative persons. Blastomycin elicited significant cross-reactions in histoplasmin-sensitive subjects and to a lesser extent in coccidioidin-sensitive subjects. The alkali-soluble cell wall antigen cross-reacted in cultures of histoplasmin-reactive persons but not in those of coccidioidin-reactive persons. All antigens effectively distinguished (P < 0.001) homologous responses of skin test-positive persons (groups I and II) from those of skin test-negative persons (group III). The extensive cross-reactivity in lymphocyte transformation assays in the absence of cross-reactivity in skin tests suggests that these two immune responses may be mediated by different T lymphocyte populations, may be elicited by different antigenic components, or both.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008213 Lymphocyte Activation Morphologic alteration of small B LYMPHOCYTES or T LYMPHOCYTES in culture into large blast-like cells able to synthesize DNA and RNA and to divide mitotically. It is induced by INTERLEUKINS; MITOGENS such as PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININS, and by specific ANTIGENS. It may also occur in vivo as in GRAFT REJECTION. Blast Transformation,Blastogenesis,Lymphoblast Transformation,Lymphocyte Stimulation,Lymphocyte Transformation,Transformation, Blast,Transformation, Lymphoblast,Transformation, Lymphocyte,Activation, Lymphocyte,Stimulation, Lymphocyte
D001758 Blastomyces A genus of onygenacetous mitosporic fungi whose perfect state is Ajellomyces (see ONYGENALES). The species Blastomyces dermatitidis (perfect state is Ajellomyces dermatitidis) causes blastomycosis. Ajellomyces dermatitidis,Blastomycoides dermatitidis,Blastomyces dermatitidis
D003045 Coccidioides A mitosporic fungal genus which causes COCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS. Coccidioides immitis
D003046 Coccidioidin A sterile solution containing the by-products of growth products of COCCIDIOIDES IMMITIS, injected intracutaneously as a test for COCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS.
D003429 Cross Reactions Serological reactions in which an antiserum against one antigen reacts with a non-identical but closely related antigen. Cross Reaction,Reaction, Cross,Reactions, Cross
D006658 Histoplasma A mitosporic Onygenales fungal genus causing HISTOPLASMOSIS in humans and animals. Its single species is Histoplasma capsulatum which has two varieties: H. capsulatum var. capsulatum and H. capsulatum var. duboisii. Its teleomorph is AJELLOMYCES capsulatus. Ajellomyces capsulatus,Cryptococcus capsulatus,Emmonsiella capsulata,Histoplasma capsulatum,Histoplasmas
D006659 Histoplasmin
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000946 Antigens, Fungal Substances of fungal origin that have antigenic activity. Fungal Antigen,Fungal Antigens,Antigen, Fungal

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