REEXPRESSION BY CANDIDA-ALBICANS GERM TUBES OF ANTIGENS LOST DURING SUBCULTURE OF BLASTOSPORES

The effect of germ tube induction on the antigenic variability in C. a lbicans was studied in strains from blood cultures (Group I) and super ficial candidiasis (Group II). When compared by immunoblotting with a rabbit antiserum, antigenic extracts from Group I strains grown as bla stospores showed a higher reactivity than that of Group II strains. Ma jor bands in Group I strains (45-47, 33, 30 kDa) were continuously exp ressed through the subcultures in vitro but, with the exception of the 45 kDa band, the reactivity of all of them decreased or disappeared a fter the tenth subculture in Group II strains. The induction of the ge rm tubes produced the re-expression of the antigens lost during subcul ture in the yeast form, the effect being very clear in Group TI strain s. The re-expression by C. albicans germ tubes of antigens lost during subculture of blastospores in vitro and the higher reactivity shown b y Group I strains grown in mycelial phase should be taken into conside ration when a test to detect anti-C. albicans antibodies is to be deve loped.