Evaluation of the allergenicity of spore and mycelia extracts of Pisolithus tinctorius

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo
• Main Authors: Jorge Kleber CHAVASCO, Walderez GAMBALE, Antônio Martins de SIQUEIRA, João Evangelista FIORINI, Miguel Croce PORTOCARRERO, Luis Gonçalves MENDES JUNIOR, Luiz Carlos do NASCIMENTO
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo (USP) 1997
• Subjects: Pisolithus tinctorius; Basidiomycetes; Mold allergens; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic; Curva
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0036-46651997000500001; https://doaj.org/article/da828284e62043ac935fa3dc98579ffc

The antigenic and allergenic chemical analysis of spore and mycelia extracts of Pisolithus tinctorius was carried out. The spores were collected from basidiocarps in plantations of Eucalyptus spp and the mycelia from culture in MNM medium. With basis on the fungus growth curve, the mycelia masses were obtained after 10, 20, 30, and 40 days of incubation, which correspond, respectively, to the beginning, middle and end of the log phase, and beginning of the decline phase. The mycelia masses, together with the spores, were submitted to the action of three extractors (Coca, Tris-HCl, and ammonium bicarbonate). The contents of carbohydrates and proteins were determined. The SDS-PAGE electrophoretical analysis revealed separate fractions in these extracts, besides common fractions, in function of cultivation time and extraction methods. The selected extracts for the allergic tests were the ones with the highest number of fractions. The prick-tests were conducted in 374 patients – rural workers, eucalyptus plantation works and college students. The positivity to the "prick test" with the antigenic extract of P. tinctorius was, respectively, 3.78%, 28.20% and 6.40%. Most prick-test positive patients (82.75%) also presented symptoms of respiratory allergy (asthma and rhinitis). There was no reactivity difference when the spore and mycelia extracts were employed. The analysis of the positive patients’ sera revealed the presence of IgE specific to the P. tinctorius antigens. Since Pisolithus tinctorius is found as mycorrhyza of Eucalyptus spp, and this plant is used in reforestation in most countries, the importance of that fungus should be regarded as a possible cause of respiratory allergies, especially in occupationally exposed workers Foi realizada a análise bioquímica, antigênica e alergênica de extratos de esporos e micélios de Pisolithus tinctorius. Os esporos foram coletados de basidiocarpos em plantações de Eucaliptus spp e os micélios obtidos de cultura em meio de MNM. Baseado na curva de crescimento do fungo, ...