[Immunology of histoplasmosis: isolation of a polysaccharide-protein complex with immuno-specific activity from Histoplasma capsulatum].

A polysaccharide protein complex (PPC) with a high specificity in immunodiffusion in gel (IDG) was isolated from a Histoplasma capsulatum strain. Although unaffected by proteolytic enzymes (pronase) and heat, the PPC antigen activity was destroyed by beta-glucosidase. These results suggest that the specificity of the PPC antigen might be located in the polysaccharide fraction. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the PPC antigen gave only one brand detected by Schiff's reagent (PAS).