An Investigation of Allergenic Proteins Produced by Moulds on Building Materials

Abstract

This paper presents an investigation of allergenic proteins produced by moulds, which react with the blood sera of people living in mould-contaminated dwellings. The production of allergenic proteins by moulds on building materials was evaluated. Mould atopy was confirmed on the basis of personal interviews as well as determination of allergen-specific IgE by an in vivo test (skin prick test (SPT)) and in vitro tests: immunoenzymatic Uni-Cap and immunoblotting. The sera of atopic persons (n = 4) reacted with antigens: Penicillium (twenty two antigens), Aspergillus (four antigens), Alternaria alternata (six antigens) and Cladosporium cladosporioides (six antigens). Moulds produced a higher number of potentially allergenic proteins when they grew on building materials containing cellulose (wallpaper, carton-gypsum board) than on a microbiological medium. The immunoblotting test using the blood sera of residents and antigens of moulds produced on the building materials is the most specific method of mould atopy detection. The most important conclusion is that people who live in buildings with visible mould contamination and who display symptoms characteristic of allergic reactions might not be correctly diagnosed with the use of commercially available mould test allergens (SPT, Uni-Cap tests). This might be due to the fact that these test allergens are produced under in vitro conditions rather than conditions similar to in vivo.