ALLERGENICITY AND IMMUNOGENICITY OF BASIDIOMYCETES

[摘要] Species selected from 6 families of the class Basidiomycetes were evaluated for allergenicity in atopic and nonatopic individuals and for immunogenicity and antigenic cross-reactivity in experimental animals. Between 42% and 68% of atopic asthmatics demonstrated positive Type I wheal-and-flare skin reactivity to basidiomycete metabolic and somatic antigens. Of skin test-positive atopic asthmatics, 64% exhibited positive RAST [radioallergosorbent test] to a basidiomycete metabolic antigen, and 50% were positive to somatic antigen. Negative RAST results were obtained in all non-atopic control sera. Only an occasional individual demonstrated positive serum anti-basidiomycete precipitins by counterimmunoelectrophoresis. All basidiomycete species studied [Tilletiopisi minor, Dacrymyces deliquescens, Stereum frustulatum, Pleurotus ostreatus, Hypholoma sublateritium, Cantharellus cibarius, Coprinus comatus] were highly immunogenic in the rabbit and most appeared to contain an electrophoretically heterogenous group of antigens with predominant anodal mobility. Ouchterlony double-diffusion analysis employing hyperimmune rabbit antisera indicated the presence of shared antigens among all basidiomycete species with the exception of Pleurotus. Rabbit antibasidiomycete sera did not cross-react with antigens of several common species of the Fungi imperfecti [Hormodendrum hordei, Penicillium notatum, Alternaria tenuis, Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium solani]. Many atopic asthmatics of the Gulf South area [USA apparently] demonstrate IgE[immunoglobulin E]-mediated hypersensitivity to basidiomycete antigens as evidenced by positive wheal-and-flare skin reactivity and/or RAST. Basidiomycetes are also immunogenic in the rabbit and possess antigens that do not cross-react with those of certain Fungi imperfecti.