Enzyme-linked immuno-filtration assay (ELIFA) for the detection of IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus

The enzyme-linked immuno-filtration assay (ELIFA) permits detection of serological precipitating systems preformed by immunoelectro-diffusion on cellulose acetate strips and simultaneous characterization of immunoglobulins G, M, A and E specific for antigens of Aspergillus fumigatus. We selected 36 sera from 9 patients who were followed up regularly and who suffered from aspergilloma (5 cases), allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (2 cases), Aspergillus bronchitis and invasive aspergillosis (one case each). All of them possessed an IgG-reactive band with chymotrypsin activity. Four different IgE bands were found by ELIFA; one of them was common to all the patients who had anti-A. fumigatus IgE (7 cases out of 9). The IgA and IgM antibodies found in 7 cases out of 9 were both recognized by the same antigenic component but these fractions were distinct from those reacting with the IgE.