Analysis of antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus antigens by class-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients with pulmonary aspergillosis

Antibodies to two commercial extracts of Aspergillus fumigatus were determined by a class-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 203 serum samples from 139 patients with various pulmonary diseases. In 22 patients with aspergilloma immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgA, and especially IgG antibodies were found, whereas in 50 patients with allergic alveolitis IgG antibody was most frequent, IgM occurring rarely. One patient with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis demonstrated IgG and IgA antibodies. Of 20 cases with bronchial asthma, 10% reacted against A. fumigatus in immunodiffusion as well as in ELISA. Of 46 cases with carcinoma, tuberculosis, and miscellaneous pulmonary diseases, 17% were positive by immunodiffusion and 26% demonstrated antibodies usually IgG, by ELISA. Of 100 healthy blood donors, none had Aspergillus antibodies of the IgG class, whereas 3% were positive in the IgM and 3% in the IgA assay. The ELISA proved to be sensitive and useful in the follow-up of patients with aspergilloma after operation.