Antibodies to inhalant fungal antigens in patients with asthma in Israel.

Thirty-eight of 97 asthmatic patients, seven of 26 normal subjects and two of 39 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were found to have antibodies to one or more of the inhalant fungi and candida antigens assayed by both immunodiffusion and counterimmune electrophoresis. Atopy was demonstrated in 33 of the 38 asthmatic patients with antibodies. Eleven asthmatics had anti-alternaria antibodies while only two reacted to aspergillus.