Aristo Vojdani, Ph D, Section of Neuroimmunology Immunosciences Lab, 8693 Wilshire Blvd Suite 200, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, 310-657-1077, drari@msn.com

Objectives: Antibodies against uncharacterized antigens and allergens from Aspergillus, Penicillium and Stachybotrys are detectable in allergic patients and occupants of a water-damaged building. Detection was partially attributed to cross-reacting antigens from other fungi. We measured IgG and IgE antibodies against whole fungal extracts, and against purified or recombinant allergens unique to: Aspergillus hemolysin, Aspergillus mitogillin, Penicillium serine protease, Stachybotrys serine protease (Stachyrase-A), and Stachybotrys hemolysin (StachylysinTM). Methods: ELISA microplate wells were coated with 5 ƒÝg of mold extracts or recombinant allergens. IgG and IgE antibodies were measured in reference sera and in clinical specimens to determine the degree of correlation between antibodies made against pure or recombinant allergens and fungal extracts. Results: Of 50 reference sera with elevated fungal antibodies, 50% showed significant elevation in IgG and IgE antibodies against Aspergillus, Penicillium and Stachybotrys extracts. Between 30-80 % of these positive specimens were elevated for IgG or IgE against Aspergillus hemolysin, mitogillin, Penicillium serine protease, Stachybotrys Stachyrase-A and StachylysinTM. In inhibition studies these pure antigens in a concentration of 50 ƒÝg/ml in liquid phase prevented the binding of anti-fungal antibodies to the fungal extracts. Conclusion: Detection of IgG and IgE antibodies against pure and recombinant mold antigens, and inhibition of anti-mold antibody binding to mold extracts, indicate that these pure antigens are major components of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Stachybotrys that can be used in antibody assays. Measurements of IgG and other antibodies against these characteristic components of molds represent biomarkers for demonstration of exposure and possibly allergy to the mold.

Learning Objectives:

1.To recognize the significance of antibodies specific to fungi, molds, mycotoxins, and metabolites of mold.
• To be able to recognize limits to cross reactivity of mold, mycotoxin, and exodigestive enzyme specific antibodies. 3.Appreciate the usefulness of pure mold antigen antibodies in the detection of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys allergies and exposure.

Keywords: Indoor Environment,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.