Inhalant Allergies to Fungi: Reactions to Bakers’ Yeast <i>(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)</i> and Identification of Bakers’ Yeast Enolase as an Important Allergen

Abstract

Forty-seven subjects diagnosed as having inhalant allergies to fungi were tested for allergic sensitivity to bakers’ yeast. Skin prick tests with yeast extract showed that 35 subjects responded with wheal reactions that were at least 3 mm while 32 subjects were regarded as clearly RAST-positive to bakers’ yeast antigens. Skin and RAST testing with purified enolase from bakers’ yeast and comparisons with the whole yeast extract showed that the enzyme is a major allergenic component of the extract. This conclusion was supported by results of electroblotting studies. RAST inhibition experiments demonstrated allergenic cross-reactivity between bakers’ yeast, bakers’ yeast enolase and Candida albicans.

An immunodominant antigen of Candida albicans shows homology to the enzyme enolase

“…Enolase from S. cerevisiae has been identified as a major allergen (18), but the significance of C albtcans m allergic respiratory disease is unclear (21). However, there is an increasing prevalence of positive skin tests to C. a/fr/ra«.^ among asthmatic patients (22.23).…”

Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) 2008*

“…Yeasts. The yeasts reputed to be the most allergenic are C. albicans, Saccaromyces cerevisiae and Saccaromyces minor (484) and Pityrosporum (485). Immunoglobulin E-mediated sensitization to yeasts has been shown, particularly in atopic dermatitis (485)(486)(487)(488).…”

Production of aChaetomium globosumEnolase Monoclonal Antibody

“…(15) Enolase has been localized microscopically in the fungal cell wall and the cytosol, and is secreted during hyphal growth. Enolase has been sequenced, cloned, and identified as an immunodominant antigen for several fungal species including S. cerevisiae, (26)(27)(28) Candida albicans, (25,27,(29)(30)(31)(32) Cladosporium herbarum, (15) Curvularia lunata, (33) Alternaria alternata, (15) Penicillium citrinum,…”