IgG Subclass Response to <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i>

Abstract

The exact clinical meaning of the IgG subclass antibodies remains obscure. In order to contribute to the study of the IgG subclass response, specific IgG_totaland IgG subclass antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in three groups of patients: 30 asthmatics due to an IgG-mediated hypersensitivity to Af, 30 atopic and 30 nonatopic controls. The results demonstrated that Af-specific IgG_total, IgG2 and IgG4 antibodies are increased in Af-sensitive patients, although detectable levels of each specific IgG subclass could be found in all the three groups. No differences between atopic and non-atopic controls could be demonstrated.

Aspergillus fumigatusand Aspergillosis

“…Quantitation of Ig isotypes as well as understanding of the kinetics of the antibody response over the course of the disease will be useful in this regard, since most healthy individuals already have anti-A. fumigatus antibodies as the direct result of continuous environmental exposure (278,301,309,339,349,376,660,679). Since titers in healthy individuals are normally low, infection can be correlated with a rise in specific antibodies.…”