Molecular allergens of the fungus Alternaria alternata in precision allergy diagnosis

Abstract

IgE‑mediated sensitization against Alternaria alternata may be underestimated in patients with respiratory allergy. Some molecular fungal allergens are considered important biomarkers in clinical practice, the specific protein Alt a 1 and the cross-reactive enolase Alt a 6 being used in singleplex and multiplex IgE immunoassays. The detailed presentation of fungal allergens supports the allergist in understanding fungal biology, allergenicity and induced immune responses, allows the improved mould allergy diagnosis by a precision assessment of the molecular IgE sensitization profiles which may differentiate genuine sensitization from cross-reactivity. Moreover, other candidate molecular biomarkers, such as superoxide dismutase Alt a 14 and serin protease Alt a 15, and the role of some fungal allergens in food allergy are also discussed.