Variability in Different Strains of Cladosporium herbarum with Special Attention to Carbohydrates and Contents of Two Important Allergens (Ag-32 and Ag-54)

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Abstract
Ten different strains of C. herbarum cultivated and extracted under identical experimental conditions were compared with respect to the following: carbohydrates quantified by methanolysis and GLC; contents of 2 important Cladosporium allergens (Ag-32 and Ag-54) estimated by rocket radioimmunoelectrophoresis; protein content determined by the Lowry and Bradford methods; and allergenic activity [in human sera] as measured by RAST [radioallergosorbent test]. The allergen extracts contained 45-73% carbohydrate material which consisted mainly of mannose, galactose and glucose. The Ag-54 content increased with increasing mannose and decreasing glucose concentration. No linear correlation between carbohydrate content and allergenic activity was found. The strains differed extensively in immunological composition. One of the strains totally lacked Ag-32 and Ag-54. To be clinically relevant, allergen preparations of C. herbarum should be based on a representative pool of several C. herbarum strains.