Experimental immunity to Microsporum canis and cross reactions with other dermatophytes of veterinary importance.
An inactivated, broad-spectrum dermatophyte vaccine was used to produce an active immunity in guinea-pigs against Microsporum canis. None of the vaccinates developed infection from a contact exposure challenge that produced clinical infections in 70% of the unvaccinated controls. Infection with M. canis induced antibody titres (ELISA) and delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity (DCH) reactions to itself as well as cross-reacting titres to Trichophyton equinum and T. mentagrophytes and DCH reactions to T. mentagrophytes; however vaccinated animals developed significantly higher antibody titres and DCH responses to all of these antigens than did non-vaccinated animals which had been infected or exposed. Rabbits hyperimmunized with culture filtrate antigens to single dermatophyte agents (M. canis, M. gypseum, T. equinum, and T. mentagrophytes) developed positive inter-species and inter-generic DCH cross-reactions to a battery of six skin test antigens (M. canis, M. gypseum, M. equinum, T. equinum, T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes and T. verrucosum). Guinea-pigs vaccinated with a T. equinum vaccine had increased resistance to M. canis infection than did non-vaccinated controls. These findings support clinical observations which suggest establishment of a broad-based immunity in animals following infection with a single dermatophyte.
Pier
A C
AC
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071, USA.
Hodges
A B
AB
Lauze
J M
JM
Raisbeck
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000276:immunology*; D003883:Arthrodermataceae / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005657:Fungal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008864:Microsporum / Q000276:immunology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012882:Skin Tests
D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D005657:Fungal Vaccines