Immunochemical reactivity of Aspergillus fumigatus antigens from different sources.

We have studied the immunochemical and biochemical differences in 12 Aspergillus fumigatus strains isolated from different sources. The enzymatic activity of all these strains were studied by a rapid enzyme detection method (API-ZYM). One of 12 strains studied produced alkaline phosphatase, while two produced chymotrypsin, and three produced trypsin. By SDS-PAGE we studied proteins present in the antigen extracts from all 12 strains. Several of the protein bands were unique and may be used to differentiate the strains. One such protein is the 58 kDa band present in the mycelial extract and the 33 kDa in the culture filtrate. By crossed immunoelectrophoresis, differentiation of the strains isolated from cystic fibrosis patients can be made based on a few specific precipitin arcs developed against anti-Aspergillus rabbit serum.