[Allergen activity of xerophilic fungus, Aspergillus restrictus].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The typical xerophilic fungi, Aspergillus restrictus, have been very frequently detected in house dust by low water activity medium. Since the composition of fungal allergens are affected culture and extract condition, we considered the influence in A. restrictus in order to develop new allergen of xerophilic fungi.

METHOD: The 4 different extract of A. restrictus were obtained from various fermentation and extraction methods. These extracts were studied for specific IgE in sera of patients with asthma. The cross-reactivity between A. restrictus and A. fumigatus were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) inhibition. Then, component analysis of A. restrictus allergens was examined by SDS-PAGE and Western Blotting.

RESULT: In ELISA, IgE antibodies against four extracts of A. restrictus were found in sera of 20-48%. In ELISA inhibition using sera obtained from 11 asthma patients, A. fumigatus antigen solution inhibited the reaction of A. restrictus with 5 asthma patients.

CONCLUSION: These results indicated that A. restrictus may be important as a causative agent in adult asthma patients. However, it was suggested that some preparation methods of an extract influence activity. Furthermore, cross-reactivity was found between A. restrictus and A. fumigatus.