Counterimmunoelectrophoresis in the detection of antibodies against Coccidioides immitis

In recent years counterimmunoelectrophoresis has been increasingly used in the diagnosis of microbial diseases, and the authors' study was undertaken to evaluate its possible use in the rapid detection of antibodies against Coccidioides immitis. One hundred twelve specimens from 50 patients were studied. The study population comprised the following: Group I, 34 patients with an active coccidioidomycosis infection; Group II, five patients with a positive coccidioidin skin test; Group III, five patients with a negative coccidioidin skin test; and Group IV, six patients with other fungal infections. Counterimmunoelectrophoresis was positive in 93 of 96 specimens in Group I and negative in the other groups. The results obtained by counterimmunoelectrophoresis correlated well with complement fixation and double immunodiffusion and indicate that it is an excellent tool for the diagnosis of patients with coccidioidomycosis.