Antigens of Fusarium solani: types and criteria for immunochemical characterization.

BACKGROUND There are no established methods for the preparation and standardization of Fusarium solani antigens. This lack of standardization makes it difficult to use these antigens in allergenic diagnostic tests. OBJECTIVE To obtain an appropriate standardized method for the preparation of the different antigen types of F. solani. METHODS Production of fungal extracts, followed by biochemical and immunological characterization. RESULTS The somatic antigens presented the greatest protein content most of these proteins are common to the metabolic and hydrosoluble antigens, particularly those proteins at 35-39 kDa, 29-32 kDa and 15-16 kDa, as detected by electrophoresis and immunoblotting. The hydrosoluble antigens presented the highest protein diversity; these proteins were the most specific, showing minor determinants in common with the other antigens. CONCLUSIONS It is recommended that a mixture of the different antigen sources be used in order to obtain extracts which would cover the maximum number of diagnostic possibilities.