ANTIBODY RAISED AGAINST EXTRACELLULAR PROTEINASES OF SPOROTHRIX-SCHENCKII IN S-SCHENKII INOCULATED HAIRLESS MICE

Sporothrix schenckii produces two extracellular proteinases, namely pr oteinase I and II. Proteinase I is a serine proteinase, inhibited by c hymostatin, while proteinase II is an aspartic proteinase, inhibited b y pepstatin. Studies on substrate specificity and the effect of protei nase inhibitors on cell growth suggest an important role for these pro teinases in terms of fungal invasion and growth. There has, however, b een no evidence presented demonstrating that S. schenckii produces 2 e xtracellular proteinases in vivo. In order to substantiate the in vivo production of proteinases and to attempt a preliminary serodiagnosis of sporotrichosis, serum antibodies against 2 proteinases were assayed using S. schenckii inoculated hairless mice. Subsequent to an intracu taneous injection of S. schenckii to the mouse skin, nodules spontaneo usly formed and disappeared for a period of 4 weeks. Histopathological examination results were in accordance with the microscopic observati ons. Micro-organisms disappeared during the fourth week. Serum antibod y titers against purified proteinases I and II were measured weekly, u sing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA). As a result, the time co urse of the antibody titers to both proteinases I and II were parallel to that of macroscopic and microscopic observations in an experimenta l mouse sporotrichosis model. These results suggest that S. schenckii produces both proteinases I and II in vivo. Moreover, the detection of antibodies against these proteinases can contribute to a serodiagnosi s of sporotrichosis.