Application of Electroimmunodiffusion and Crossed Electroimmunodiffusion to the Comparative Serology of a Microorganism (Histoplasma Capsulatum)

Abstract

Electroimmunodiffusion and crossed electroimmunodiffusion were evaluated and compared to immunodiffusion with respect to their resolution capabilities and their abilities to detect antigenic relationships, both qualitative and quantitative, among yeast-phase growth filtrates of eight strains of Histoplasma capsulatum. Electroimmunodiffusion was judged superior to immunodiffusion and crossed electroimmunodiffusion in all respects. A comparison was also made between burro and rabbit antisera and the former was found to resolve a larger number of antigens. By electroimmunodiffusion considerable antigenic variation among strains was detected and correlations were noted between the antigenic properties and length of time in culture and geographic origin of the strains.