Frequency of Specific Immunoglobulin G Antibodies and Immediate Skin Test Reactivity to Aspergillus fumigatus Antigen among Adults with Allergic Asthma: Tehran

Background: The Aspergillus fumigatus (AF) has been found the most common etiologic agent in allergic aspergillosis. In addition, AF is responsible for 90% of human infections. Increasing the air pollution in urban area causes the increase in asthma rates. Significant cutaneous sensitization occurs in asthmatic population with AF. In these patients, susceptibility of diseases increases. The aims of this study were to identify frequency of specific IgG antibodies and sensitization to Aspergillus antigens through skin prick-test reactivity (SPT) among adults with allergic asthma and to diagnose atopic phenotype subset. Method: 201 chronic asthmatic patients were applied in order to instructions based on the increased level of immunoglobulin E antibodies concentrations in allergy, having criteria of the study and specific immunoglobulin G antibodies against AF in serum and SPT reactivity with aspergillus antigen. Thereafter, atopic phenotype was diagnosed. Results: 42 (21%) subjects had positive skin reactivity to aspergillus antigens, also specific AF IgG antibodies was observed in 122 (61%). 36 (30%) of positive aspergillus skin prick test was found among those who were positive specific AF IgG antibodies of allergic asthma (P=0.001), 81 (40%) subjects of all allergic asthma patients were atopic. 19 (24%) of the atopic subsets had positive aspergillus skin prick test and specific AF IgG antibodies was seen in 41 (50%) of atopic subjects. In addition, significant differences in aspergillus skin prick test was observed between atopic with nonatopic subgroups (P=0.01). Conclusion: Our finding indicated that significant frequency of specific IgG antibodies seroconvertion against AF in serum and immediate SPT sensitization to AF antigen were detected among chronic bronchial asthma with allergic and also, atopic phenotype subsets.