Antigenic Relatedness between Mannans from and Spherules and Mycelia.

Immunoassays for cell wall mannans that are excreted into serum and urine have been used as an aid in the diagnosis of many disseminated fungal infections, including coccidioidomycosis. Antigen-detection immunoassays are critically dependent on the detection of an analyte, such as mannan, by antibodies that are specific to the analyte. The goal of this study was to evaluate the extent of cross-reactivity of polyclonal antibodies raised against spp.