title: Fungal allergens.
abstract: Many fungi are capable of causing IgE-mediated hypersensitivity in humans. However, the most predominant fungi implicated in allergy belong to the genera Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Penicillium. Pure and relevant allergens are essential for diagnosis as well as for understanding the immunopathogenesis of the disease. Until recently, pure and standardizable antigens from fungi were not available. In recent years, many recombinant allergens have been produced by molecular cloning. Using these allergens, novel methods are being developed to improve diagnosis of mold-induced allergy. By understanding the immunopathogenesis of allergens, new avenues might open up leading to improved patient care, including immunotherapy and vaccination. This review covers the current status of fungal allergens, their role in reliable immunodiagnosis, and their probable use in immunotherapy and vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Wisconsin, VA Medical Center, Research Service 151-I, 5000 West National Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53295, USA. vkurup@mcw.edu
authors.forename: Viswanath P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Kurup
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D005658:Fungi / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E