IGE ANTIBODY-RESPONSE AGAINST ASPERGILLUS-UMBROSUS IN FARMERS LUNG-DISEASE

IgG and IgA antibodies against fungus Aspergillus umbrosus have been f ound in the sera of patients with farmer's lung (FL) disease and healt hy exposed farmers in Finland. To determine the IgE response to antige ns of A. umbrosus and Candida albicans, sera from 20 patients with FL, 20 healthy farmers and 20 nonfarming controls were tested by nitrocel lulose radioallergosorbent test (RAST). The values of RAST indices wer e low in each group and the only statistically significant difference was found between the groups of FL patients and nonfarming controls ag ainst A. umbrosus polysaccharide antigen. Individual IgE responses to polysaccharide antigens of A. umbrosus and C. albicans correlated amon g FL patients, however, no cross-reacting IgE antibodies could be show n. To conclude, the IgE antibody levels of A. umbrosus polysaccharide and crude antigens were low in FL patients, healthy exposed farmers an d nonfarming controls. Neither polysaccharide nor crude antigen-specif ic IgE antibodies of A. umbrosus have any diagnostic value in FL disea se.