ALLERGENICITY OF ACID PROTEASE SECRETED BY CANDIDA-ALBICANS

We have previously reported the cases of Candida albicans (C. alb) aci d protease (CAAP)-induced atopic asthma. In this study, the allergenic ity of the released enzyme CAAP was examined among asthmatic patients with positive immediate skin response to crude C. nib antigen. Among 4 9 patients with positive skin response to crude C. alb, anti-crude C. alb IgE antibodies were detected in 40 and anti-CAAP IgE antibodies we re detected in 18. Moreover, anticrude C. alb IgE antibodies were dete cted in all of the patients in whom anti-CAAP IgE antibodies were dete cted. No correlations between IgG antibodies to both antigens or betwe en IgE and IgG antibodies to CAAP were observed. CAAP induced signific ant T-cell proliferation in 201/28 patients showing positive T-cell pr oliferation response to crude C. alb antigen. Most of the patients sho wing positive conjunctival response to crude C. alb antigen also showe d positive response to CAAP. Most of the patients showing high levels of serum IgE antibody and positive histamine-release response of perip heral blood leukocytes to CAAP showed positive conjunctival response. The results indicate that CAAP is an important allergen in C. alb-rela ted mucosal allergy.