Fl. Hernando et al., REEXPRESSION BY CANDIDA-ALBICANS GERM TUBES OF ANTIGENS LOST DURING SUBCULTURE OF BLASTOSPORES, Mycopathologia, 134(1), 1996, pp. 1-6
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.