BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to prove that Saccharomyces cerevisiaeenolase, the major allergen of the baker's yeast, induces allergic immediate response in patients withinhalant allergy sensitized to Candida albicans extract.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performedin three groups of patients: I. 20 atopic patients with respiratory allergy sensitized to Candida albicansand inhalant allergens (mite, feather, pollens) II. 30 patients with respiratory allergy, positive skintests to inhalant allergens but negative skin tests to Candida albicans and other fungi; III. 20 nonatopic,healthy individuals. Skin prick test of purified enolase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (bakers yeast)at concentration 1 and 10 mg/ml was performed in all groups. The results were documented planimetrically.
RESULTS: 95% of patients sensitized to Candida albicans extract showed positive skin reactions to Saccharomycescerevisiae enolase, 10% of patients of group II and none of the patients of the control group had positiveskin responses to enolase. The mean wheal size (mm2) in skin prick test to Candida albicans, Saccharomycescerevisiae enolase at concentration 10 mg/ml was x = 15.17 +/- 11.08, 15.76 +/- 19.67 and at concentration1 mg/ml 10.02 +/- 10.49, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: 1. Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase induces an immediateallergic reaction in skin in subjects with respiratory allergy and positive skin prick test results toCandida albicans and other fungi. 2. Enolase can be an important allergenic component of the Candidaalbicans extract.

Keywords: fungal allergy, Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase, baker's yeast enolase