Skin prick test response to enzyme enolase of the baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in diagnosis of respiratory allergy.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study is to prove that Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase, the major allergen of the baker's yeast, induces allergic immediate response in patients with inhalant allergy sensitized to Candida albicans extract.


METHODS
The study was performed in three groups of patients: I. 20 atopic patients with respiratory allergy sensitized to Candida albicans and inhalant allergens (mite, feather, pollens) II. 30 patients with respiratory allergy, positive skin tests to inhalant allergens but negative skin tests to Candida albicans and other fungi; III. 20 nonatopic, healthy individuals. Skin prick test of purified enolase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (bakers yeast) at concentration 1 and 10 mg/ml was performed in all groups. The results were documented planimetrically.


RESULTS
95% of patients sensitized to Candida albicans extract showed positive skin reactions to Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase, 10% of patients of group II and none of the patients of the control group had positive skin responses to enolase. The mean wheal size (mm2) in skin prick test to Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase at concentration 10 mg/ml was x = 15.17 +/- 11.08, 15.76 +/- 19.67 and at concentration 1 mg/ml 10.02 +/- 10.49, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
1. Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase induces an immediate allergic reaction in skin in subjects with respiratory allergy and positive skin prick test results to Candida albicans and other fungi. 2. Enolase can be an important allergenic component of the Candida albicans extract.
Nittner-Marszalska
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine and Allergology, Medical University, ul. Traugutta 57, Wroclaw, Poland. marmarsz@uni.wroc.pl
Wójcicka-Kustrzeba
I
I
Bogacka
E
E
Patkowski
J
J
Dobek
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology; D005241:Feathers / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000276:immunology*; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
D000485:Allergens; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase