Detection of antibody responses and delayed dermal hypersensitivity with Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast and mycelial...

Yeast cell lysate and mycelial lysate antigens prepared from one strain (T-58) of Blastomyces dermatitidis were evaluated with respect to the detection of antibodies and delayed dermal hypersensitivity. Comparable ELISA sensitivity values were evidenced with the two antigens when assayed against serum specimens from dogs with blastomycosis, sera from non-infected dogs residing in endemic and non-endemic areas for blastomycosis and sera from rabbits that were hyperimmunized with B. dermatitidis antigens. Specificity determinations with anti-Histoplasma capsulatum rabbit sera indicated that both reagents exhibited only minimal cross-reactivity; the mycelial antigen was slightly more specific than the yeast phase reagent. Similar sensitivity and specificity results were experienced when the two antigens were used to detect delayed dermal hypersensitivity in guinea pigs previously sensitized with B. dermatitidis or H. capsulatum.