IgG subclass response to Aspergillus fumigatus

Abstract

The exact clinical meaning of the IgG subclass antibodies remains obscure. In order to contribute to the study of the IgG subclass response, specific IgGtotal and IgG subclass antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in three groups of patients: 30 asthmatics due to an IgG-mediated hypersensitivity to Af, 30 atopic and 30 nonatopic controls. The results demonstrated that Af-specific IgGtotal, IgG2 and IgG4 antibodies are increased in Af-sensitive patients, although detectable levels of each specific IgG subclass could be found in all the three groups. No differences between atopic and non-atopic controls could be demonstrated.