ALLERGENS OF BIPOLARIS SPECIES

Skin prick tests done previously revealed a significantly higher perce ntage of sensitization to an extract of Bipolaris sp. among individual s (34/147, 23.1%) compared to non-atopic individuals. Bipolaris-specif ic IgE levels were quantified in sera from a representative group of 3 8 individuals using the Fluorescence Allergosorbent Test (FAST). Resul ts obtained by FAST were found to be comparable to the skin prick test results (r(2) = 0.60, p<0.001 for IgE levels vs wheal sizes, r(2) = 0 .44, p<0.001 for IgE levels vs erytherna sizes). Characterisation of t he extract's allergenic component by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacryl amide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed 28 protein bands will mole cular weights (MW) ranging from 11 kDa to above 100 kDa. Immunoblottin g with sera of 10 Bipolaris-sensitive (skin prick test, 3+) individual s showed that Bipolaris spore extract at least 4 IgE binding proteins (MW 11-13 kDa, 16-17kDa, 20-22kDa and 36kDa). All 10 sera reacted to t he protein at MW 20-22 kDa, 2 sera with MW 11-13 kDa, 3 sera with 16-1 7 kDa and 6 sera with 36 kDa. This study has thus demonstrated that sp ores of Bipolaris sp. contain allergenic components which may elicit I gE-mediated reactions.