Abstract
Double immunodiffusion (DID) is a useful, inexpensive antibody screening test that is more specific than complement fixation for blastomycosis. Seven of 10 patients with proved blastomycosis had positive results on DID assays for antibody to the A antigen of Blastomyces dermatitidis. Sputum cytologic examination and skin or other tissue biopsies may be diagnostic if the organism is demonstrated. Culture remains the sina qua non of diagnosis, and a negative DID test result for A precipitin does not rule out this infection. Follow-up serologic studies of patients in remission and in relapse should be undertaken to determine the evolution of the immune response to the A antigen.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 209-212 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | American Review of Respiratory Disease |
| Volume | 123 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - 1981 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine