title: Factors influencing the production of H and M antigens by Histoplasma capsulatum: development and evaluation of a shake culture.
abstract: Studies were undertaken to improve the production of histoplasmin for use in complement-fixation tests and in the determination of H and M antibodies. A shake culture method performed at 25 C was developed with a yeast-phase inoculum. Eight strains of Histoplasma were tested in three synthetic media to evaluate the effects of strain and medium on H and M antigen production. Intrastrain variation was negligible, and antigen production was reproducible. All of the strains produced H antigen; six strains produced both H and M antigens, and two produced only H antigen. The time of H and M antigen appearance varied with the medium; M antigen appearance was dependent upon the strain and medium used. Titers of M antigen appeared to be greater in stagnant culture.
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D001216:Asparagine; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D003470:Culture Media; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006658:Histoplasma / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006659:Histoplasmin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007106:Immune Sera; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D008722:Methods; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D013045:Species Specificity; D013053:Spectrophotometry
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000941:Antigens; D003470:Culture Media; D007106:Immune Sera; D001216:Asparagine; D006659:Histoplasmin