Detection of class-specific antibodies against Micropolyspora faeni antigens in farmers'lung

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Abstract
M. faeni antigens were used for specific IgA, IgG and IgM determination with an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) technique, and for specific IgE antibodies by means of radioallergosorbent test in 18 patients with farmer''s lung, in 19 farmers with other chest conditions, and in 29 controls. The farmers'' lung group had significantly higher IgG antibody levels than the controls, while specific IgA levels were elevated in 10 cases. Specific IgE and, except for 3 cases, IgM levels did not differ from the controls. In the group of farmers with other lung diseases, only 3 had increased levels of specific IgG antibody. The correlation (0.89) between IgG by ELISA and a complement-fixation test indicated that complement activation by M. faeni antigens is mediated by IgG antibodies.