FARMERS LUNG - IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO A GROUP OF EXTRACELLULAR ENZYMES OF MICROPOLYSPORA-FAENI - EXPERIMENTAL AND FIELD-STUDY

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 27  (3) , 401-406
Abstract
Potent immunogenicity of certain extracellular chymotrypsin-like enzymes of M. faeni are demonstrated. One of them, enzyme 1, seems particularly active in stimulating the formation of precipitins after intratracheal exposure in rabbits. Man or cattle exposed naturally to moldy hay, with or without clinical farmer''s lung symptoms show a rather constant immunological reaction against enzyme 1 and partly against others of the same group. The detection of specific precipitins against these enzymes is not likely to improve the diagnostic value of the standard farmer''s lung serology. Possible implications of these proteolytic enzymes in the pathogenesis of farmer''s lung are discussed.