Standardization of fungal allergens.

The ability of various fungi to induce human IgE-mediated disease, especially allergic asthma, has been well established. The relative clinical importance of fungal aeroallergens varies considerably in different geographic areas. The magnitude of exposure to fungal aeroallergens can be quantitated more precisely by newer immunochemical assays than by more traditional fungal cultures or quantitation of fungal spores by microscopy. Although the wide variations in biologic potency among commercial mold allergenic extracts have been appreciated for decades, only recently have laboratory technologic advances and the production of international reference extracts permitted the development of standardized fungal extracts of defined potency. Future efforts should be directed toward documenting the expected diagnostic and therapeutic advantages of such standardized fungal extracts.