Skip to main content
PMC home page
Applied Microbiology logoLink to Applied Microbiology
. 1972 Feb;23(2):250–261. doi: 10.1128/am.23.2.250-261.1972

Factors Influencing the Production of H and M Antigens by Histoplasma capsulatum: Effect of Physical Factors and Composition of Medium1

Hugh-Bert Ehrhard 1,2,2, Leo Pine 1,2
PMCID: PMC380326  PMID: 4622822

Abstract

Stagnant culture methods have permitted only limited physiological studies of the production of H and M antigens by Histoplasma capsulatum because, with such methods, antigen production is uncontrolled. In this investigation, a shake culture method was used to convert yeast-phase inoculum to mycelialphase growth at 25 C. Results strongly suggest that the release of H and M antigens relates to autolysis of the cells. Among the factors influencing production of H and M antigens under shaking conditions, choice of strain was the most important. Alterations of carbon or nitrogen source or variations in amino acid to carbohydrate ratios had limited influence on antigen production. With a strain that produced both H and M antigens, however, proportions of titers of M to H antigens could be made to vary considerably by changes in the medium, the pH, and the temperature. Results suggest that the source of M antigen during autolysis is enzymatic dissolution of the cell wall. The source of H antigen is more obscure. Production of both antigens may be differentially controlled under conditions of good reproducibility by a correct choice of strain and manipulation of culture medium.

Full text

PDF
250

Images in this article

259Image
on p.259

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. ABERNATHY R. S., HEINER D. C. Precipitation reaction in agar in North American blastomycosis. J Lab Clin Med. 1961 Apr;57:604–611. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. ARTIS D., BAUM G. L. TUBERCULATE SPORE FORMATION BY THIRTY-TWO STRAINS OF HISTOPLASMA CAPSULATUM. Mycopathol Mycol Appl. 1963 Nov 15;21:29–35. doi: 10.1007/BF02053252. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Anderson K. L., Marcus S. Sporulation characteristics of Histoplasma capsulatum. Mycopathol Mycol Appl. 1968 Nov 13;36(2):179–187. doi: 10.1007/BF02049684. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Ehrhard H. B., Pine L. Factors influencing the production of H and M antigens by Histoplasma capsulatum: development and evaluation of a shake culture. Appl Microbiol. 1972 Feb;23(2):236–249. doi: 10.1128/am.23.2.236-249.1972. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Gilbert B. E., Howard D. H. Incorporation of Cystine by Yeast Cells of Histoplasma capsulatum. Infect Immun. 1970 Aug;2(2):169–174. doi: 10.1128/iai.2.2.169-174.1970. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Goodman N. L., Spouse R. F., Larsh H. W. Histoplasmin potency as affected by culture age. Sabouraudia. 1968 Oct;6(4):273–284. doi: 10.1080/00362176885190551. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. HEINER D. C. Diagnosis of histoplasmosis using precipitin reactions in agargel. Pediatrics. 1958 Oct;22(4 Pt 1):616–627. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Mahvi T. A., Larsh H. W. Nutritional study of the mycelial phase of Histoplasma capsulatum. Mycopathol Mycol Appl. 1969 Aug 28;38(3):231–241. doi: 10.1007/BF02052675. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. McVeigh I., Morton K. Nutritional studies of Histoplasma capsulatum. Mycopathol Mycol Appl. 1965 Apr 14;25(3):294–308. doi: 10.1007/BF02049917. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. PARK J. T., JOHNSON M. J. A submicrodetermination of glucose. J Biol Chem. 1949 Nov;181(1):149–151. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. PINE L., DROUHET E. SUR L'OBTENTION ET LA CONSERVATION DE LA PHASE LEVURE D'HISTOPLASMA CAPSULATUM ET D'H. DUBOISI EN MILIEU CHIMIQUEMENT D'EFINI. Ann Inst Pasteur (Paris) 1963 Oct;105:798–804. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. PINE L., PEACOCK C. L. Studies on the growth of Histoplasma capsulatum. IV. Factors influencing conversion of the mycelial phase to the yeast phase. J Bacteriol. 1958 Feb;75(2):167–174. doi: 10.1128/jb.75.2.167-174.1958. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. PINE L. Studies on the growth of Histoplasma capsulatum. I. Growth of the yeast phase in liquid media. J Bacteriol. 1954 Dec;68(6):671–679. doi: 10.1128/jb.68.6.671-679.1954. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. PINE L. Studies on the growth of Histoplasma capsulatum. II. Growth of the yeast phase on agar media. J Bacteriol. 1955 Oct;70(4):375–381. doi: 10.1128/jb.70.4.375-381.1955. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. PINE L. Studies on the growth of Histoplasma capsulatum. III Effect of thiamin and other vitamins on the growth of the yeast and mycelial phases of Histoplasma capsulatum. J Bacteriol. 1957 Aug;74(2):239–245. doi: 10.1128/jb.74.2.239-245.1957. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Pine L. Growth of Histoplasma capsulatum. VI. Maintenance of the mycelial phase. Appl Microbiol. 1970 Mar;19(3):413–420. doi: 10.1128/am.19.3.413-420.1970. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Public Health Weekly Reports for NOVEMBER 23, 1945. Public Health Rep. 1945 Nov 23;60(47):1383–1413. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. ROWLEY D. A., PINE L. Some nutritional factors influencing growth of yeast cells of Histoplasma capsulatum to mycelial colonies. J Bacteriol. 1955 Jun;69(6):695–700. doi: 10.1128/jb.69.6.695-700.1955. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. SCHUBERT J. H., AJELLO L., COOPER J. S., RUNYON L. C. Evaluation of histoplasmin and yeast phase antigens derived from a single strain of Histoplasma capsulatum in the complement fixation test. J Bacteriol. 1955 May;69(5):558–562. doi: 10.1128/jb.69.5.558-562.1955. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. SCHUBERT J. H., LYNCH H. J., Jr, AJELLO L. Evaluation of the agar-plate precipitin test for histoplasmosis. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1961 Dec;84:845–849. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1961.84.6.845. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. SCHUBERT J., AJELLO L., STANFORD S., GRANT V. Q. Variation in complement fixation antigen production by different strains of Histoplasma capsulatum grown on two media. J Lab Clin Med. 1953 Jan;41(1):91–97. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Salvin S. B., Hottle G. A. Factors Influencing Histoplasmin Formation. J Bacteriol. 1948 Nov;56(5):541–546. doi: 10.1128/jb.56.5.541-546.1948. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Schubert J. H., Wiggins G. L. Additional studies of histoplasmin formation. Mycopathol Mycol Appl. 1966 Nov 10;30(2):81–91. doi: 10.1007/BF02130354. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. WIGGINS G. L., SCHUBERT J. H. RELATIONSHIP OF HISTOPLASMIN AGAR-GEL BANDS AND COMPLEMENT-FIXATION TITERS IN HISTOPLASMOSIS. J Bacteriol. 1965 Mar;89:589–596. doi: 10.1128/jb.89.3.589-596.1965. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Yen C. M., Howard D. H. Germination of blastospores of Histoplasma capslatum. Sabouraudia. 1970 Nov;8(3):242–252. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Applied Microbiology are provided here courtesy of American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

RESOURCES