Qualitative and quantitative differences in recognition patterns of Candida albicans protein and polysaccharide antigens by human sera.

Cytoplasmic and cell wall proteins and glycoproteins extracted from Candida albicans germ tubes were screened by Western blotting for their ability to differentiate between the serological responses of patients with candidosis and healthy individuals. Molecules of 114, 74 and 65 kDa were not recognized by any sera. Qualitative differences were observed for responses to proteins and glycoproteins from 29 to 60 kDa. Conversely, only quantitative differences were found to high molecular mass glycoproteins. Their recognition by control sera was invariably associated with reactivity against a 14-18 kDa antigen. However, despite a high level of antibodies against high molecular mass mannoproteins, some patients sera failed to react with the 14-18 kDa antigen, or lost this reactivity during the course of the disease.