Immunologic response to Faenia rectivirgula (Micropolyspora faeni) in a dairy farm family.

In the present study, cellular and humoral responses to Faenia rectivirgula antigens were evaluated in seven subjects, members of a family who lived and worked on a dairy farm. Four subjects had clinical features of hypersensitivity pneumonitis after exposure to moldy hay. The other three subjects had no clinical disease in spite of similar exposure.

Aspergillus fumigatus-specific antibodies in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and aspergilloma: evidence for a polyclonal antibody response.

Patients with the Aspergillus-induced diseases allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), aspergilloma (fungus ball), and Aspergillus skin test-positive asthma were differentiated immunologically by radioimmunoassay based on their total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgE levels. In this study, a new, highly sensitive biotin-avidin-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate A. fumigatus-specific antibodies of all immunoglobulin classes.

Allergic sino-orbital mycosis. A clinical and immunologic study.

We present a case of pansinusitis with orbital involvement associated with an allergic response to the fungus Curvularia (Cochliobolus) lunata. Key elements to the diagnosis included a predominant eosinophilic response of the sinus mucosa, the presence of a characteristic mucoid exudate containing fungal hyphae, peripheral blood eosinophilia, serum precipitins against C lunata, elevated serum total and Curvularia-specific IgE and IgG concentrations, and immediate cutaneous reactivity to C lunata antigen. This report suggests that an exaggerated allergic response should be considered in the pathogenesis of pansinusitis.

alpha-Fetoprotein in the routine clinical laboratory: evaluation of a simple radioimmunoassay and review of current concepts in its clinical application.

We have assessed the clinical utility of a radioimmunoassay for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The method, which relies on ammonium sulfate precipitation for the separation of "bound" and "free" radiolabeled antigen, can be completed in one working day. The assay is specific for AFP, has a sensitivity of < 10 ng/ml, and has intra- and inter-assay precision of 5--8% and 9--11%, respectively.

An evaluation of a kinetic acid phosphatase method.

The authors have evaluated a new kinetic acid phosphatase method in which the substrate is alpha-naphthyl phosphate. The original claim that this substrate was highly specific for the prostatic isozyme has been strongly challenged. Therefore, large numbers of patients in the following groupings were included in the evaluation: 52 urology clinic patients, 17 patients with uremia, 11 patients with multiple myeloma and 231 patients who had undergone prostatic biopsies.