Future Direction:
Currently, a number of useful antigens cloned by molecular biology techniques are available. Recent progress achieved by combining phage surface display technology and high throughput screening (Crameri and Walter, 1999b) has allowed the cloning and characterization of 71 IgE-binding proteins likely to cover the whole allergenic repertoire of A. fumigatus (Crameri et al., in press). However, none of these proteins have been studied extensively for their diagnostic value as well as pathogenetic roles. Hence, it is essential to undertake extensive studies involving large number of patients for identifying candidate antigens as standardized reagents for in vitro and in vivo diagnostic assays. Once this task is achieved the allergens can be incorporated in automated quantitative diagnostic assays for allergen-specific IgE antibody-determinations such as the Pharmacia CAP System (Crameri et al., 1996a; Crameri et al., 1996b; Crameri, 1999a; Hemmann et al., 1998a; Hemmann et al., 1998b). These studies will help direct comparison of the results obtained in different laboratories and make possible more accurate and reliable diagnoses. This effort will also help to standardize the serodiagnosis of both A. fumigatus sensitization and ABPA.
Such studies will also contribute to our understanding on the most discriminative criteria for different forms of A. fumigatus -related disease (Crameri, 1998a; Hemmann et al., 1998b). The highly pure recombinant allergens will also be of value in studying the immunopathogenesis of A. fumigatus -related pulmonary complications. In turn, understanding of the pathogenesis will lead to the development of suitable control measures and devise measures to monitor the effect of treatment of ABPA. Finally, knowledge of T and B cell epitopes may lead to identification of suitable peptides for immunotherapy and vaccination to control and prevent aspergillosis or arrest the deterioration of lung function in ABPA and related diseases (Banerjee et al., 1997; Banerjee et al., 1999; Crameri et al., in press; Kurup et al., 1998; Svirshchevskaya et al., 2000; Tang et al., 2000).