EVALUATION OF SEROLOGICAL METHODS FOR DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC IGE IN DIAGNOSIS OF ASPERGILLUS LUNG-DISEASE

Forty six patients clinically suspected to have aspergillus lung disea se [bronchial asthma 17, allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis (ABP A) 22, aspergilloma 71 were evaluated by Phadebas RAST(R), Phadezym RA ST(R) (ELISA) and avidin-biotin ELISA for determination of specific Ig E. Smear, culture, skin test against aspergillin, precipitin test and Enzygnost(R)(total IgE) confirmed the diagnosis in 7 patients of extri nsic asthma due to conidia of Aspergillus spp., 17 for ABPA and 7 for aspergilloma among the clinically suspected patients. Specific IgE aga inst Aspergillus fumigatus antigen was detected in 100 per cent patien ts of extrinsic asthma and 64.7 per cent of ABPA patients. No specific IgE could be detected in patients with aspergilloma. In patients othe r than those with, aspergilloma the detection rate of specific IgE was 50.0 per cent by radio-allergosorbent test (RAST), 62.5 per cent by E LISA, 66.7 per cent by avidin-biotin ELISA. Thus ELISA or avidin-bioti n ELISA could replace the radioimmunoassay procedure for detection of specific IgE.