Delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to a cell wall fraction of the mycelial phase of Coccidioides immitis

Infect Immun. 1975 Nov;12(5):1093-7. doi: 10.1128/iai.12.5.1093-1097.1975.

Abstract

A skin test-active fraction was isolated from the mycelial-phase cell walls of Coccidioides immitis. This alkali-soluble, water-soluble antigen (C-ASWS) elicited positive reactions in 22 of 24 (92%) of the Coccidioides-sensitized guinea pigs whereas only 14 (54%) of the same guinea pigs reacted to commercial coccidioidin (BioCox). None of the 21 Histoplasma-sensitized guinea pigs cross-reacted with the C-ASWS antigen. Footpad tests in mice actively infected with Coccidioides further established the efficacy of the C-ASWS antigen in eliciting a delayed-type hypersensitivity response. One-microgram doses of C-ASWS produced reactions comparable to 100-mug doses of nondialyzable coccidioidin (Smith's lot 64 D4). The C-ASWS fractions isolated from three different C. immitis strains showed similar reactivity in terms of the number of positive reactions produced in Coccidioides-sensitized guinea pigs. However, the induration responses (diameter in millimeters) elicited by the C-ASWS fraction of one strain were significantly less than those elicited by the C-ASWS fractions of the other two C. immitis strains.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Fungal / isolation & purification
  • Cell Membrane / immunology
  • Chemical Fractionation
  • Coccidioides / immunology*
  • Coccidioidin / administration & dosage
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Histoplasma / immunology
  • Histoplasmin / administration & dosage
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / immunology*
  • Injections, Intradermal
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Skin Tests

Substances

  • Antigens, Fungal
  • Coccidioidin
  • Histoplasmin