Author(s)

Joshua C. Wright, Terrick E. Harrild, Gene M. Scalarone

Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, USA.

Blastomycosis and histoplasmosis manifest as lung and systemic fungal infections in mammals caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, and Blastomyces dermatitidis. These infections exhibit cross reactivity of antibodies which makes a correct diagnosis potentially elusive. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of which isoelectric focusing fractions (Rotofor^TM) of B. dermatitidis were reactive or cross reactive with serum specimens from dogs infected with B. dermatitidis, H. capsulatum, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Three serum specimens from dogs that were infected with B. dermatitidis, two dogs infected with H. capsulatum, and one dog infected with C. neoformans were assayed against the 20 B. dermatitidis Rotofor^TM fractions. Reactivity was determined using the indirect enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA). Reactivity with B. dermatitidis was found predominantly in the protein fractions 1 - 6, and cross reactivity with H. capsulatum, and C. neoformans sera was found within the B. dermatitidis protein fractions 15 - 19.

Isoelectric Focusing; ELISA; Blastomycosis; Lysate Antigen; Antibody Detection

C. Wright, J. , E. Harrild, T. and M. Scalarone, G. (2012) Sensitivity and Specificity Determinations with Isoelectric Focusing Fractions of Blastomyces dermatitidis for Antibody Detection in Serum Specimens from Infected Dogs. Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 2, 237-241. doi: 10.4236/ojvm.2012.24038.