[Quantitative immunoelectrophoretic methods applied to the immunochemistry of Candida].

Cytoplasmic soluble extracts of yeasts were compared by quantitative immunoelectrophoretic methods. Comparative studies of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis permitted to confirm the antigenic complexity of fungi and the existence of important cross-reacting antigens between this two yeast, to demonstrate the specificity of the Candida tropicalis cell-wall antiserum and the presence of soluble cell-wall constituents in cytoplasmic yeast extracts. Crossed-line immunoelectrophoresis with and without absorption of antibodies in situ demonstrated four specific antigens unique to Candida albicans group A cytoplasmic extract not shared with the group B. The other procedures used were not sufficient for identification, since the resulting patterns were confusingly complex.