Antigenic relationships among Cladosporium species of medical importance.

We analyzed the exoantigens of 54 isolates belonging to the pathogenic Cladosporium species. Cladophialophora ajelloi was found to be antigenically identical to Cladosporium carrionii. All human and cat isolates of C. bantianum and C. trichoides were found to share the same antigens. Although cross-reactions were observed among the four species of Cladosporium: C. carrionii, C. bantianum, c. herbarum, and C. cladosporioides they were identified and differentiated specifically with four monospecific factor sera obtained through absorption procedures. The exoantigen serologic procedure also permitted us to identify cultures of these four Cladosporium spp. within 8 days.