Abstract
Genus Aspergillus is an important causative allergen/antigen of a variety of allergic pulmonary diseases such as bronchial asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Not only A. fumigatus but also A. restrictus and A. versicolor have been cultivated from housedust and shown to sensitize humans so that they produce IgE antibody. A. fumigatus is known as the most common causative allergen/antigen of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). In Japan A. oryzae is also an important causative allergen/antigen of ABPA as it affects workers in factories of soybean product such as soysauce and soybean paste. Homology to the mitogillin family, manganese superoxide dismutase and peroxisomal membrane proteins have been reported as major allergens of A. fumigatus.
