Immunologic properties of a fraction of Trichophyton rubrum with affinity to concanavalin A.

The antigens of Trichophyton rubrum were studied by means of concanavalin A affinity chromatography and immunoelectrophoresis. The lectin was found to bind 8 of the 35 antigens present in a crude T. rubrum extract. This concanavalin A fraction induced antibody formation in rabbits. Moreover, some human anti-T. rubrum antibodies reacted with this fraction, which was also able to induce lymphocyte transformation in vitro in lymphocytes from infected patients. In addition, skin test studies demonstrated its ability to elicit relevant immediate- and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. Thus the antigens of the concanavalin A fraction elicit both IgE and precipitating antibodies and cell-mediated immunity.