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An enzyme-linked immunosorbent-assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies against Thermoactinomyces sacchari associated with bagassosis has been described and compared with the counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) assay in forty-five bagasse workers; twenty-six of whom had symptoms consistent with bagassosis, and ten who were normal blood-bank donors. The ELISA was more sensitive than CIE in detecting antibodies against the double dialysis antigen used. There was a significantly (P < 0.05) greater number of ELISA-positive individuals (82%) than those who were precipitin positive (60%). Results of the ELISA also gave a significantly better correlation (P < 0.05) with the clinical diagnosis (88%) than did the precipitin test results (58%). The ELISA was useful in quantitating antibodies in the sera. The symptomatic group of bagasse workers did not have significantly higher titres in the ELISA than the group of exposed but asymptomatic subjects. We conclude that the ELISA is a sensitive and specific test, which is readily available and widely applicable for the detection of immunization in bagasse workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some antifungal agents have been tested qualitatively in various associations against species of Candida, Cryptococcus and Torulopsis. The method used was the channel test and the results are confirmed by comparison with the serial dilution test in agar. The antagonism in vitro with the combination of amphotericin B imidazole suggests that caution must be exercised before prescribing the antifungal drugs in combination for man. The frequent synergy of flucytosine with econazole is, however, encouraging because of the low toxicity of the 2 drugs. Under the limited conditions described, the combination of flucytosine and amphotericin B was not found synergistic but additive on the strains of C. albicans used in this study. This combination was found synergistic for a strain of C. parapsilosis and is useful for avoiding resistance to flucytosine. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection and quantification of antibodies anti Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is described. Polystyrene plates have been used as solid phase to absorb P. brasiliensis metabolic yeast phase antigen. Twenty sera of proven paracoccidioidomycosis, 11 of histoplasmosis due Histoplasma capsulatum, 20 of aspergillosis and 20 human normal sera were tested. Ninety-five percent of the paracoccidioidomycosis sera had O.D. superior to 0.150 (from 0.163 to 2.650) at 1/400 serum dilution. ELISA assay was compared with counterimmunoelectrophoresis and erythro-immunoassay tests; a correlation was observed only with erythro-immunoassay. ELISA test should give new perspectives for the serodiagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A non-specific acute inflammation induced in mice by an intrapleural injection of calcium pyrophosphate or dextran increased the resistance against a Candida albicans infection, and the transfer of this protection to normal mice was obtained by the injection of sera from animals developing an acute non-specific inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]