Manufacturing and standardizing fungal allergen products

The importance of fungal allergen products in the practice of clinical allergy is frequently underestimated. A wide variety of fungal species have been demonstrated to elicit allergic symptoms and to sensitize patients. The quality of fungal allergen preparations might have a significant effect on t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 2004-02, Vol.113 (2), p.210-215
Main Author: Esch, Robert E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allergen standardization
Allergens - chemistry
Biological and medical sciences
Carbohydrates
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fundamental immunology
fungal extracts
Fungal Proteins - chemistry
Fungal Proteins - standards
Fungi
Fungi - chemistry
Fungi - growth & development
Humans
Hypersensitivity, Immediate - diagnosis
Immunopathology
Manufacturers
Manufacturing
Medical sciences
Phenols
Proteins
Reference Standards
Skin Tests - methods
Skin Tests - standards
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Description
Summary:The importance of fungal allergen products in the practice of clinical allergy is frequently underestimated. A wide variety of fungal species have been demonstrated to elicit allergic symptoms and to sensitize patients. The quality of fungal allergen preparations might have a significant effect on the specificity and sensitivity of diagnostic tests. Varying degrees of cross-reactivity have been shown among fungal genera, and the clinical relevance of this cross-reactivity has been neither fully appreciated nor applied to clinical practice. In addition, an increasing number of potentially new fungal allergen sources for which commercial extracts are not available are being identified. Manufacturers of allergen products have the formidable task of providing quality fungal allergen extracts that are routinely used for specific allergy diagnosis and treatment in the clinic. Currently there are no standardized fungal allergen products available in the United States because of inherent difficulties with manufacturing and standardizing fungal extracts. Without intervention, progress will not be forthcoming.
ISSN:0091-6749
1097-6825
DOI:10.1016/j.jaci.2003.11.024