Characterization of Candida albicans antigenic determinants by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and enhanced chemiluminescence

The use of a two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis joined with Western blotting allowed us to investigate the reactivities of antibodies present in sera from mice and humans to antigens of Candida albicans blasto conidia. The analysis of the antibody response in the two models studied an d the comparison between the antibody response in infected and noninfected individuals showed that the infection by C, albicans produces changes in th e antibody response which may be of relevance in the serodiagnosis of invas ive candidiasis. These changes include the induction of antibodies against new antigens, the disappearance of antibodies against a group of antigens a nd variations in the reactivity of antibodies directed to a different group of antigens. The technique used resolved the isoforms of several antigens including enolase. It is concluded that the antibody response in humans and mice with candidiasis is not homogeneously directed to all the isoforms of an antigen. (C) 1999 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Pub lished by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.