[Mould allergy (author's transl)].

290 asthmatic patients with positive skin tests for mould allergens were analyzed retrospectively. The relationship between skin test and inhalative provocation test was investigated with regard to single allergens and polyvalent mould sensitivity. With 4 commercially available moulds the relationship between skin test, provocation test and RAST was investigated too. Alternaria alternata occupies a special position. Tests with Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Penicillium notatum, Fusarium culmorum, Aspergilus fumigatus and Cladosporium herbarum showed the highest correlation correlation with clinical allergy. Allergic asthmatic patients are in about 10% sensitive for moulds. Penicillia tend to crossreaction; for other moulds no preferential combinations were found. Provocative inhalation tests have to be performed, if mould sensitivity is suspected. At present the results of RAST are mostly of no decisive diagnostic value.