[Reactivity of human lymphocytes to yeast-like and mold fungi]

The capacity of the allergens of mold fungi (Rhizopus nigricans, Mucor pusillus, Alternaria tenuis, Cladosporum herbarum, Fusarium oxysporum) and yeast-like fungi (Candida albicans) to induce the production of lymphokins by human lymphocytes was studied. All these preparations were active in reactions with lymphocytes obtained from adult donors, but did not activate lymphocytes of newborns (obtained from umbilical blood). In equal doses (10 micrograms/ml) C. albicans allergen was more active than the preparations of mold fungi. The capacity of bacterial allergens to stimulate human lymphocytes was found to be either more pronounced (in Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes) than that of the preparation of C. albicans or equal to it (in Streptococcus faecalis). The results thus obtained may be regarded as the manifestation of immunological contacts with the antigens of different microorganisms, as well as the evidence of the immunological nature of lymphocytic reactions to preparations intended for use in clinical allergology.