Selection of representative Alternaria strain groups on the basis of morphology, enzyme profile, and allergen content.

In an attempt to identify representative strains, 12 strains of Alternaria alternata were contributed by four different research groups. Each was grown on two types of solid media and characterized with descriptions of pigmentation and morphology. Enzyme profiles were determined on both the cellular antigen and the culture filtrate material with use of a commercial kit. Concentrations of a previously described Alt a 1 and a 70 kd allergen, GP70, were measured by a two-antibody "sandwich" ELISA. Allergenic proteins were visualized by IgE immunoblots. With use of these criteria, four separate strains were identified that might serve as representative of Alternaria for further research.