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J Clin Microbiol. 1978 January; 7(1): 97-101
Copyright © 1978 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Development and Evaluation of an Immunodiffusion Test for Diagnosis of Systemic Zygomycosis (Mucormycosis): Preliminary Report

Kenneth W. Jones^1, and Leo Kaufman^*

¹ Department of Parasitology and Laboratory Practice, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
^* Mycology Division, Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333

ABSTRACT

An antigen analysis with filtrate and homogenate precipitinogens of single isolates of the zygomycetes Absidia corymbifera, Mucor pusillus, Rhizopus arrhizus, and Rhizopus oryzae demonstrated the presence of common antigens among the three genera as well as antigens which permit their differentiation. Selected homogenate antigens were valuable in developing a diagnostic immunodiffusion (ID) test for systemic zygomycosis. When sera from 43 patients with various proven mycoses other than zygomycosis were tested against each of the antigens, none formed precipitin bands identical to those formed by A. cormybifera, M. pusillus, and the Rhizopus spp. rabbit reference antisera. Sera from 23 normal persons and 25 diabetics did not react with any of the antigens. Homogenate antigens detected antibody in 8 of the 11 sera (73%) from suspected or proven cases of zygomycosis, whereas ID tests with filtrate antigens detected antibody in only 2 of the 11 sera (18%). Of the eight sera that reacted with the homogenate antigens, five only reacted with a specific Rhizopus sp. antigen, two only reacted with a specific M. pusillus antigen, and one only reacted with a specific A. corymbifera antigen. Study results show the ID test with homogenate antigens to be more specific and sensitive than the ID test with filtrate antigens and indicate that the former is a promising technique for diagnosing human zygomycosis.

Present address: Rhode Island Department of Health, Division of Laboratories, Providence, RI 02903.

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