Detection of recombinant Alt a1 in a two-site, IgM based, sandwich ELISA opens up possibilities of developing alternative assays for the allergen.

Alternaria alternata is well known to induce IgE-mediated asthma in humans. Alt a1, a 29 kD glycoprotein doublet composed of 14.5 and 16 kD subunits, is the major allergen of this mould.