Obtention of specific antisera for the serotyping of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans

• Published in: Revista cubana de medicina tropical Vol. 56; no. 2; pp. 142 - 144
• Main Authors: Illnait Zaragozí, María T, Toirac, Yoel Miranda, Valdés Hernández, Iliana C, Machín, Gerardo Martínez, Fernández Andreu, Carlos M, Perurena Lancha, Mayda R, Llanes, Dianeya Mendoza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Cuba 01.05.2004
• Subjects: Cryptococcus neoformans - classification; Cryptococcus neoformans - immunology; Immune Sera; Serotyping
• ISSN: 0375-0760

The obtention of antisera at the Mycology Laboratory of "Pedro Kouri" Institute of Tropical Medicine was proposed to allow the rapid identification of the varieties and serotypes of Cryptococcus neoformans, since it is very important from the clinico-epidemiological point of view to know them. By immunizing rabbits with formalized whole cells of the 4 serotypes of this yeast, it was possible to obtain antisera that were absorbed with cells of the heterologous serotypes. 3 antisera capable of differentiating the neoformans var. (anti AD) and its respective serotypes (anti-A and anti-D) were attained. This paper will contribute to the knowledge of the epidemiology of this important disease in the Cuban setting for being the first time that useful antisera are obtained in Cuba to identify the serotypes corrresponding to the neoformans variety, which is the main causal agent of criptococcosis.