In vivo and in vitro cell-mediated immune responses to a cell wall antigen of Blastomyces dermatitidis.
An alkali-soluble, water-soluble cell wall fraction of Blastomyces dermatitidis, designated B-ASWS, was evaluated as an antigen for detecting in vivo (skin tests) and in vitro migration inhibition factor (MIF) production and lymphocyte transformation (LT) responses in Blastomyces-infected guinea pigs. The biological activity of B-ASWS was compared with that of blastomycin KCB-26. The superiority of B-ASWS, in terms of its sensitivity and specificity, was evident in in vivo and in vitro assays. Skin tests responses were obtained in 21 of the 24 Blastomyces-infected guinea pigs, whereas only one of the 14 Histoplasma-infected guinea pigs were significantly greater than those obtained using cell populations from Histoplasma-infected or noninfected guinea pigs. The con-MIF and LT in peritoneal exudate cells and lymph node cells of homologuosly infected animals. In each biological system, the response of the Blastomyces-infected guinea pigs were significantly greater than those obtained using cell populations from Histoplasma-infected or non-infected guinea pigs. The contrasting efficacy of B-ASWS as compared with blastomycin KCB-26, suggests that the cell wall antigen will be a useful tool for detecting cell-mediated immune responses in blastomycosis.
D000818:Animals; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D001758:Blastomyces / Q000276:immunology*; D001759:Blastomycosis / Q000276:immunology; D002464:Cell Migration Inhibition; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006660:Histoplasmosis / Q000276:immunology; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D012882:Skin Tests
D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors