THE ANTIGENIC COMPOSITION OF CRYPTOCOCCUS NEOFORMANS V. A

Abstract

A survey of serologic cross reactions occurring among strains of C. neoformans. other fungi, bacteria, and polysaccharides from higher forms is presented. Antigens from Histoplasma capsulatum. Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Coccidioides immitis did not react in anti-cryptococcal sera. Cross reactions were secured with Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and trichophytin; and with pneumococcus type 2 and gum tragacanth against some anti-cryptococcal sera. Strains of C. neoformans isolated from soil reacted in type A'', type B, and polyvalent anticryptococcal sera. A method is descr. for preparing polyvalent antiserum which is capable of reacting with the 3 known types of C. neoformans. Cells of C. neoformans type C from infected mice appear to be antigenically different from cells grown in culture.