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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1973 September; 26(3): 231-238
Copyright © 1973 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Detection and Identification of Diagnostic Histoplasma capsulatum Precipitates by Counterelectrophoresis

Department of Parasitology and Laboratory Practice, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333

ABSTRACT

Studies were carried out to develop and evaluate a counterelectrophoresis (CEP) technique for the rapid and specific identification of the diagnostically important histoplasmosis H and M precipitin bands. Well-defined and centrally located precipitin bands were produced by using a discontinuous buffer system and a gel matrix composed of agarose and ionagar no. 2. A template was devised which allowed the selective identification of the H and M precipitins. Comparative evaluations were performed with the microimmunodiffusion (ID) and complement fixation tests. In 52 sera from persons with histoplasmosis, either the H or M precipitin, or both, were identified in 42 (81%) of the cases with the CEP technique and in 43 (83%) with the ID test. With sera from 28 persons with heterologous diseases, the CEP technique, like the ID test, failed to react. The specificity of the CEP technique was dependent upon the use of the identity template. The CEP technique is recommended for routine use in laboratories testing moderate numbers of sera. It provides accurate and reproducible results within 90 min, in contrast to the ID test, which requires 18 to 24 h.

¹ Present address: Bureau of Laboratories, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130.