Serological Response of Rhesus Monkeys to Histoplasma, Blastomyces, and Coccidioides Antigens

Fifteen adult rhesus monkeys were inoculated with nonviable Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, or Coccidioides immitis. Antibody assays were made periodically during a 2-year period by use of a complement-fixation (CF) test employing four antigens and a latex-agglutination test. Selected sera were also studied in an immunodiffusion test and a coccidioidin-precipitin test. The serological patterns obtained with the anti-Histoplasma, anti-Blastomyces, and anti-Coccidioides monkey sera were comparable to those of sera from patients with diseases caused by the respective organisms. Rhesus monkeys should provide a good laboratory model for additional studies, including the influence of multiple antigenic stimuli on serologic response and patterns. Monkeys could also be used for the production of antisera required for studies to improve the specificity of the currently available CF antigens.