Spore germination increases allergen release from Alternaria

Allergen released from individual spores of the fungus Alternaria has not b een investigated. Germination of spores has been suggested to increase alle rgen release. This study examined allergen released from individual spores and the effect of germination on allergen availability. Allergen release wa s determined with the Halogen (Inhalix, Sydney, Australia) immunoassay, by use of serum IgE from Alternaria-sensitized subjects and 3 Alt a 1-specific antibodies. Not all spores released allergen. Germination of the spores si gnificantly increased the proportion that released allergen (P < .0001 for all antibodies). Alt a 1 may be a minor contributor to the total allergen r eleased from spores except when spores have germinated. How these results r eflect the allergen content of spores in the air that we breathe requires i nvestigation.