Rapid immunoelectrophoretic assay for detection of serum antibodies toAspergillus fumigatus catalase in patients with pulmonary aspergillosis

Abstract

A rapid immunoelectrophoretic assay was developed to detect antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus catalase. The method's diagnostic sensitivity for pulmonary aspergillosis was 88% (72-97%, 95% confidence limits) in 33 patients presenting with either aspergilloma or Aspergillus lung infiltrate. The diagnostic specificity was 94% (90-97%) as judged from 191 patients with other infiltrative lung diseases, including infections and neoplasia. None of the 185 healthy subjects had catalase antibodies. The highest titres (ranging up to 256) were found in aspergillosis patients with cavitary lesions. Catalase antibody titres increased in two patients with concomitant development of lung cavities and mycetomas. In patients with resected or stable Aspergillus lung disorders catalase antibody titres declined by less than one dilution step per year.

Clinical and Serological Survey of Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

“…The finding of catalase antibodies in CF patients with ABPA is contrary to previous observations in non-CF patients, among whom only 1 of 9 had such antibodies [13]. The response to the catalase antigen in CF patients may reflect a hightened immune respon siveness due to inflammation of the bronchi, but in creased fungal proliferation and hyphal 'microinva sion' must also be considered.…”

“…The fungus has an ar moury of hydrolytic enzymes [20] and toxins [21] that may affect lung tissues and host defences. An infec tious role of the fungus in patients with catalase anti bodies is likely [13]; the ultimate proof must rest on a lung biopsy, but the study of fungal antigen in serum and urine might throw some light on this point [22],…”

“…fumigatus Catalase Antibodies Precipitating antibodies to the catalase antigen of A. fumigatus were demonstrated by modified counterimmunoelectrophoresis as previously described [13]. Positive serum samples were tested in two-fold serial dilutions in order to determine the end-point titre.…”

Aspergillus spondylodiscitis in an immunocompetent paraplegic patient

“…grown in culture. 6 In our case the diagnosis of Aspergillus spondylodiscitis was ascertained by histology and by the development and disappearance of speci®c antibodies to A. fumigatus, respectively. To our knowledge fungal infection of the unimpaired spine in the setting of a pre-existing traumatic paraplegia has hitherto not been described.…”

Detection of Antibodies Specific to an Antigenic Cell Wall Galactomannoprotein for Serodiagnosis of Aspergillus fumigatus Aspergillosis

“…One guinea pig was used for each fungus, and three were used for Afmp1p (with the SD indicated). As for the specificity of the Afmp1p-based ELISA, it showed high specificity (100% negative for normal blood donors, patients with other fungal infections, and patients with nonfungal infections) compared to antibody assays based on other antigens developed in the past 20 years (Table 1) (5,(7)(8)(9). Further studies have to be performed to determine the cross-reactivity among the potential homologous proteins in A. flavus, A. niger, and A. terreus in humans.…”