STUDIES ON FUSARIUM-SOLANI - CROSS-REACTIVITY AMONG FUSARIUM SPECIES

Allergenic cross-reactivity among three Fusarium species (F. solani, F . equiseti, and F. moniliforme) was determined by crossed immunoelectr ophoresis (CIE), ELISA inhibition, and immunoprint-inhibition analysis . Inhibiting immunoprint was used to assess the cross-reactivity of in dividual allergenic proteins in culture filtrate (CF), separated on SD S-PAGE. Dose-response inhibition of band 14 kDa in immunoprints of F. solani CF by antigens of F. solani CF, F. equiseti CF, and F. monilifo rme CF demonstrated significant cross-reactivity of allergenic protein s on analysis of densitometric scans. CIE and ELISA inhibition using h yperimmune sera raised in rabbits against F. solani CF antigen also de monstrated shared antigenicity among Fusarium species. Collectively, t his study revealed the presence of shared as well as unique antigenic and allergenic determinants in F. solani CF, F. equiseti CF, and F. mo niliforme CF antigens.