title: Improved in vitro diagnosis of allergy to Alternaria tenius and Cladosporium herbarum.
abstract: To improve the in vitro diagnosis of mould allergy 22 children suffering from allergic asthma caused by Alternaria tenius and/or Cladosporium herbarum as proven by bronchial provocation test were investigated. Partially purified, standardized mould preparations were used in radioallergosorbent test (RAST) with conventional and new update mould discs, mould-induced histamine release and immunoblotting. Updated RAST discs were found to be superior to the old-type discs for the detection of Alternaria but not Cladosporium sensitivity. In all patients except one, specific IgE-antibodies to the respective mould were demonstrated by immunoblotting. Mould-induced histamine release failed to prove sensitization in only two patients. No differences were found comparing histamine release from whole blood with release from isolated cells. The results demonstrate a high sensitivity of in vitro tests when purified and standardized extracts are used.
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000528:Alternaria / Q000276:immunology*; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D002648:Child; D002963:Cladosporium / Q000276:immunology*; D006636:Histamine Release; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi / Q000276:immunology*; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D007073:Immunoglobulin E