Preparation and ELISA evaluation of Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast phase lysate antigens

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) comparative studies are described in which 10 Blastomyces dermatitidis antigenic preparations from human, dog, and soil strains were used for the detection of rabbit serum antibodies directed against B. dermatitidis killed yeast cells of human and dog origin as well as detection of antibodies in human serum samples. Reactive reagents were produced from all 10 strains, but two antigens (K-Le and T-043324) demonstrated exceptional sensitivity with moderate cross-reactivity with histoplasmosis specimens. Additionally, these reagents were able to detect anti-B. dermatitidis antibodies produced in rabbits in response to human (H-100) or dog (T-042976) strains in a comparable manner. These data suggest that a single antigenic reagent might be suitable for ELISA detection of B. dermatitidis antibodies in different species with blastomycosis.