SERUM ANTIBODIES TO ASPERGILLUS-FUMIGATUS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES

Abstract

IgG and IgA serum antibodies to A. fumigatus were determined in 47 patients with alkylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis or Reiter''s syndrome; 4 patients with pulmonary aspergillosis associated with rheumatic disease, and in 36 healthy controls. Antibody titers determined by indirect immunofluorescence were comparable in patients with rheumatic diseases and in controls, except for 2 patients with IgG antibody titers within the upper range of patients with aspergillosis. IgG antibody levels to 2 partially purified A. fumigatus antigens (I and VIII), determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), were higher in rheumatid patients than in controls; with antigen VIII, the difference reached statistical significance for all subgroups of rheumatic patients. IgA antibody levels by ELISA were also increased in rheumatic patients compared with the control group; IgA levels against antigen I fell within the range of patients with aspergillosis in 7 patients with rheumatic disorders. Apparently, some rheumatic patients are more strongly sensitized to Aspergillus antigens than normal subjects.