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Fragrance allergens (FAs) have been widely used in wet wipes, diapers, sanitary napkins, and other paper personal care products. There are more than 1000 fragrance allergens that may be present in these products. However, their negative effects on human health and environment cannot be ignored. This work presented a headspace (HS) solid-phase microextraction (SPME) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the determination of fragrance allergens in paper personal care products. The factors affecting the extraction efficiency were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). Under optimal conditions, the method provided good linearity (R-0.995) from 2.5x10-4 to 1.28x10-1mg with low limits of detection (LODs) between 1.9x10-2 and 6.0 mg/kg. Twenty paper personal care products were analyzed and 12 fragrance allergens were detected. The detection rate of benzyl alcohol was the highest (80%) with contents from 0.009 to 5.73mg/kg, followed by linalool (over 75%) with a content of 12.30mg/kg in makeup removing wipes. Additionally, a comparison for the determination of fragrance allergens by solid-liquid extraction-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (SLE-DLLME) and HS-SPME was reported. HS-SPME has been demonstrated to be a sensitive screening method for fragrance allergens in paper personal care products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the gradually increasing prevalence of food allergy in recent years, food allergy has become a major public health problem worldwide. The clinical symptoms caused by food allergy seriously affect people's quality of life; there are unknown allergen components in novel food and hidden allergens caused by cross contamination in food processing, which pose a serious risk to allergy sufferers. Thus, rapid and multiplex detection methods are required to achieve on-site detection or examination of allergic components, so as to identify the risk of allergy in time. This paper reviews the progress of high-efficiency detection of food allergens, including enhanced traditional detection techniques and emerging detection techniques with the ability high-throughput detection or screening potential food allergen, such as xMAP, biosensors, biochips, etc. focusing on their sensitivity, applicability of each method in food, along with their pretreatment, advantages, limitation in the application of food analysis. This paper also introduces the challenges faced by these high-efficiency detection technologies, as well as the potential of customized allergen screening methods and rapid on-site detection technology as future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Of the several selenized yeasts authorised for use as feed additives in the EU, Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3060 inactivated' (Sel-Plex®), was the first to be approved for use, in 2006. The additive has a concentration of selenium between 2000 and 2400 mg/kg and a selenomethionine content greater than 63%. Previous toxicological and safety studies have shown Sel-Plex® to be safe for use for target animal species, consumers, users and the environment. A new formulation of Sel-Plex® was recently developed however, with a minimum selenium content of 3000 mg/kg. The increase in selenium in this product, Sel-Plex® 3000, presented the need to assess the risk for workers and users and to establish if there would be any eye and/or skin irritancy and skin sensitisation effects associated with the product. The purpose of this paper is to present the methodology and results of the user safety skin and eye studies performed on Sel-Plex® 3000. Materials & Methods: In vitro skin and eye models were used to assess skin and eye irritancy, while skin sensitisation was examined using an in vivo method. The acute eye irritation was evaluated using a Reconstructed human Cornea-like Epithelium (RhCE) model, which followed the OECD guideline 492. The skin irritation was assessed based on its ability to induce cell death in a commercial reconstructed human epidermis (RhE) model (EPISKIN™) according to the OECD Guideline No. 439. The skin sensitising potential was evaluated in the Guinea pig in line with OECD Guideline 406, and measured the extent and degree of skin reaction to a challenge exposure following previous topical exposure of a substance on the skin. Results: The skin and eye irritation test results showed that Sel-Plex® 3000 was a non-irritant in both cases. The skin sensitisation study showed that the additive did not generate a sensitisation response in the guinea pig and should not be considered a skin sensitiser. Conclusion: These results indicate that Sel-Plex® 3000 is safe to use for workers in an industrial setting when handling the product and the studies may be further used to support regulatory compliance in respective markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seafoods are fashionable delicacies with high nutritional values and culinary properties, while seafood belongs to worldwide common food allergens. In recent years, many seafood allergens have been identified, while the diversity of various seafood species give a great challenge in identifying and characterizing seafood allergens, mapping IgE-binding epitopes and allergen immunotherapy development, which are critical for allergy diagnostics and immunotherapy treatments. This paper reviewed the recent progress on seafood (fish, crustacean, and mollusk) allergens, IgE-binding epitopes and allergen immunotherapy for seafood allergy. In recent years, many newly identified seafood allergens were reported, this work concluded the current situation of seafood allergen identification and designation by the World Health Organization (WHO)/International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee. Moreover, this review represented the recent advances in identifying the IgE-binding epitopes of seafood allergens, which were helpful to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment for seafood allergy. Furthermore, the allergen immunotherapy could alleviate seafood allergy and provide promising approaches for seafood allergy treatment. This review represents the recent advances and future outlook on seafood allergen identification, IgE-binding epitope mapping and allergen immunotherapy strategies for seafood allergy prevention and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify allergenic cross-reacting allergens in patients with inhalation and food allergy using molecular diagnostics ISAC test. The study group consisted of 50 adult patients. The control group contained 20 healthy people. In the study group 92% patients were found to have the asIgE component responsible for cross-allergy between plant pollens and foods. The presence of asIgE was the most common for the Bet v 1 component. AsIgE was also detected for the component responsible for the presence of a true allergy to 26% patients. A statistically significant frequency of sensitization to 12 crossreactive components was demonstrated, 10 of them belonged to the PR-10 proteins. An allergy profile of the studied population was created based on the ISAC results. The results of the study suggest that cross-reactions are the main cause of food allergy, and their frequency rises with increased sensitization to inhaled allergens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central compartment atopic disease (CCAD) is a newly recognized variant subtype of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Although CCAD has been reported to be correlated with allergy, there is still a considerable gap in our knowledge regarding CCAD. We have conducted a thorough analysis of the literature on CCAD. This review provides current understanding and therapeutic strategies of CCAD. In this article, we will review the clinical presentations and parameters, allergy-related etiology, endotypes, and recommended management of CCAD. CCAD is considered as an aeroallergen-driven type 2/eosinophilic inflammatory pattern. Although CCAD can be diagnosed by endoscopy and radiology, as well as allergen test, pathogenesis and management strategies leave much to be desired, and further studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergy, the immunological hypersensitivity to innocuous environmental compounds, is a global health problem. The disease triggers, allergens, are mostly proteins contained in various natural sources such as plant pollen, animal dander, dust mites, foods, fungi, and insect venoms. Allergies can manifest with a wide range of symptoms in various organs and be anything from just tedious to life-threatening. A majority of all allergy patients are self-treated with symptom-relieving medicines, while allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only causative treatment option. This review will aim to give an overview of the state-of-the-art allergy management, including the use of new biologics and the application of biomarkers, and a special emphasis and discussion on current research trends in the field of AIT. Conventional AIT has proven effective, but the years-long treatment compromises patient compliance. Moreover, AIT is typically not offered for food allergies. Hence, there is a need for new, effective, and safe AIT methods. Novel routes of administration (e.g. oral and intralymphatic), hypoallergenic AIT products, and more effective adjuvants hold great promise. Most recently, the development of allergen-specific monoclonal antibodies for passive immunotherapy may also allow the treatment of patients currently not treated or treatable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to allergy concerns, it is mandatory under EU law to declare in food products all ingredients derived from fish. Gelatine is prepared from the waste collagen of animal carcasses, including piscine, bovine and porcine materials, and is an ingredient in a wide range of foods. The Elliott Review into the integrity and assurance of food supply networks highlighted requirements for analytical surveillance methods to support due diligence, food safety and authenticity. We present the development of a method to extract gelatine from foods and determine the presence of piscine gelatine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using a suite of sixteen piscine marker peptides. The method has been successfully applied to gelatine granules, capsules and composite retail food products. While a study is required to determine parameters including the limit of detection of this method, the data indicate the method is reproducible between replicates of sub-samples and applies to a range of piscine gelatines collected over 16 years. Once validation studies are complete, there is potential for enforcement officers to apply the technology to verify the authenticity of fish products to support consumers in ensuring food safety and also food provenance relating to animal origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peanut allergy can result in severe, sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions that place a considerable burden on the lives of patients. This article reviews the first approved immunotherapy for the mitigation of allergic reactions following accidental peanut exposure, peanut (Arachis hypogaea) allergen powder-dnfp (PTAH; Palforzia®, Aimmune Therapeutics). This article highlights the unmet need for patients with peanut allergy, describes the therapeutic landscape, and reviews the development of and clinical data for PTAH. PTAH offers a standardized preparation of peanut allergen, with a tolerability and efficacy profile clearly defined through its robust clinical development and trial program. In children 4–17 years old, PTAH provides a standardized, approved product that many clinicians sought prior to initiating oral immunotherapy. PTAH reduced the likelihood of more severe reactions following exposure to peanut protein; although peanut avoidance remains essential, PTAH will enable more individuals with peanut allergy to participate in activities of daily life with less anxiety. Peanut allergy is a serious, potentially fatal condition. It often starts in childhood, and the only treatment used to be emergency medicine after contact with peanuts. Children are recommended to avoid any contact with peanuts or products made with peanuts, which can be difficult and stressful, especially in social situations such as school. A treatment called oral immunotherapy, based on very small amounts of protein from peanut, was developed to help the body get used to coming into contact with peanuts without a dangerous reaction. PTAH (Peanut [Arachis hypogaea] allergen powder-dnfp) is a type of oral immunotherapy that doctors can prescribe for children with peanut allergy. It is the first medicine of its kind to be allowed and is prepared specially to make sure that the right amount of peanut is given to children. In controlled tests, children with peanut allergy were given increasing amounts of peanut to see how much they could eat before they had a bad reaction. Children who had been given PTAH for a few months could eat more peanut (without a bad reaction) than children who had been given a placebo. Although there are some side effects from PTAH, particularly tummy upsets, most children who took it in the trials were able to keep taking it. Although children with peanut allergy will still need to avoid peanuts, PTAH may allow them to lead a more normal life with less worry about accidentally coming into contact with peanuts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing number of people with seafood allergy has caused a series of problems for practitioners and consumers in the seafood industry year by year. Thereby, development of efficient, convenient and low-cost allergen detection methods is urgently needed. This review introduces three important existing seafood allergen detection methods associated with DNA-based, protein-based and aptamer-based. Their principles and biological characteristics are firstly presented. The core of these three methods are DNA amplification techniques, specific binding of antigens and antibodies, and specific binding of aptamers and ligands, respectively. Among them, DNA-based detection method is an indirect analysis, which takes the gene of allergen as the detection object and is characterized by good stability and high sensitivity. Protein-based and aptamer-based, methods employ indirect analysis for allergen detection. The difference is that the latter uses an easily synthesized and highly efficient aptamer as the detection probe, showing great promising potentials. The advantages and disadvantages of the three mentioned detection methods are also discussed. In the future, as more efficient and reliable detection methods for seafood allergens come into practice, the possibility of seafood allergy patients eating seafood products by mistake will be greatly reduced, which will ensure the food safety and the health of allergy patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States requires labelling of food products containing major allergens, such as peanut, through the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act. Accurate labelling requires sensitive, specific and robust detection methods, and PCR-based techniques have proven highly effective. This article describes the transition of a previously developed multiplex real-time PCR assay for allergenic peanut to a droplet digital PCR format. The triplex droplet digital PCR assay was developed in a probe mixing format and directly compared to the established real-time PCR assay. Data are provided for thorough optimisation in the digital format, including the effects of primer and probe concentration, cycle number and annealing/extension time. Optimisation parameters influenced relative location and separation of droplet clusters but not final copy number. The droplet digital PCR assay was linear over five orders of magnitude; its lower limit of detection was 0.05 pg DNA per reaction, more sensitive than published digital PCR allergen assays. It was more precise, but not more sensitive, than the previously established real-time PCR assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local allergic rhinitis (LAR) is a clinical rhinitis phenotype characterized by the presence of nasal symptoms of AR in nonatopic patients with a negative skin prick test and undetectable specific IgE (sIgE) in serum against inhalant allergens but with a positive nasal allergen provocation test. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 12-month course of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for house dust mite (HDM) allergies in adult patients with confirmed LAR and concomitant asthma. The study was a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with patients diagnosed with LAR to HDMs and with concomitant asthma who underwent a 12-month treatment course of SLIT for HDM allergies. Seventeen patients were randomized to SLIT with the use of allergen extracts of D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae (50/50%) in SQ-HDM SLIT tablets and 15 patients were randomized to the placebo group. The total rhinitis score (TRSS), total asthma symptom score (TASS), combined total symptom score (TSS), total medication score (TMS), and FEV1 were analyzed. Results: In the final analysis, 16 patients who received SLIT and 14 who received placebo who completed the study protocol were included. Significant reductions in TRSS, TASS, TSS, and TMS after 12 months of treatment were observed in patients after SLIT (p < 0.05). A significant increase in the mean FEV1 between baseline and after 12 months of therapy was observed in the study, with p = 0.03 in the study group. Conclusion: SLIT can improve nasal and bronchial symptoms and reduce symptomatic treatment in patients with LAR and asthma and with hyperresponsiveness to HDMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct peptide reactivity assay (DPRA) is an OECD test guideline method that aims to determine if a chemical is reactive enough to be a skin sensitiser. It involves incubation of the test chemical at 5 mMolar concentration for 24 h with a cysteine-based peptide at 0.5 mMolar concentration and measurement of the percentage depletion (DP) of the peptide. The kinetic direct peptide reactivity assay (kDPRA) is derived from the DPRA and involves incubating the peptide with the test chemical at a range of concentrations and incubation times to produce a data matrix of DP values, which is analysed to give a reactivity parameter logkmax that assigns chemicals to the 1A potency class (high potency) if logkmax reaches the threshold value of −2. Here the DPRA, with a threshold of 47% DP, is compared against the kDPRA for their abilities to distinguish between the 1A and non-1A potency classes. It is found that they perform very similarly against a dataset of 157 chemicals with known potency, with only marginal differences in predictive performance. The thresholds of −2.0 (kDPRA) and 47% DP (DPRA) to distinguish 1A sensitisers are not scientific absolutes but the best compromises for a heterogenous set of data containing classes of chemicals for which different thresholds would be applicable. It is concluded that although the kDPRA represents a major advance towards predicting skin sensitisation potency on a continuous basis without animal testing, it offers no significant advantage over the DPRA for the purpose of 1A classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A few studies investigated the relationship between allergy and Meniere disease considering complete allergen panel. We aimed to evaluate the serum immunoreactivity in patients with Meniere's disease (MD) compared with healthy people according to common indigenous Iranian inhalation and food allergens. Thirty-nine patients with MD referred to Rasoul Akram Hospital (Tehran, Iran) were evaluated and compared with a 41 membered control group. A panel of common inhalation and food allergens (using an immunoblotting method), as well as total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level (using the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method), were checked on the patients' serum. The mean total IgE level was 193.85 ± 175.43 IU/ml in the patients with MD and 117.61 ± 138.05 IU/ml in the control group, which was significantly higher than the other subjects in the control group (P =.016). There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding inhalation allergens such as; sweet vernal grass, cultivated rye, cultivated oat, Russian thistle, goosefoot, and rough pigweed (P =.01–0.038). Patients with MD reported more reactive to food allergens such as; rye flour, hazelnut, pepper, citrus mix 2, potato, strawberry, and celery allergens. There was a significant relationship between Meniere and serum immunoreactivity to inhalation and food allergens (both P =.001). Conclusion: Serum total IgE level in patients with MD (in both inhalation and food allergens groups) was higher than the control group, and there was a relationship between MD and immunoreactivity to common indigenous inhalation and food allergens of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum total IgE (tIgE) is frequently used in the diagnosis of allergic diseases in Mosul city and Iraq. However, neither normal nor elevated levels can exclude or confirm the diagnosis of these diseases. Here, we tried to evaluate the validity of tIgE in the diagnosis of allergic asthma(AS), allergic rhinitis(AR) and atopic dermatitis(AD) in a sample of Mosul population, to set up an optimum cut-off value for diagnosis of these diseases and to study its correlation with different parameters that might affect its level. 38 patients with AS, 27 with AR, 46 with AD and 45 healthy controls were included in this study. tIgE were determined by ELISA and compared between allergic diseases and controls. Blood eosinophilia was ascertained and correlated with tIgE levels. The geometric means of tIgE were 316.87 IU/ml (95% CI: 234.69 to 427.82) in AS, 262.07 IU/ml (95% CI:174.24 to 394.18) in AR and 270.48 IU/ml (95% CI:202.57 to 361.16) in AD compared to 16.90 IU/ml (95% CI:12.32 to 23.18) in healthy controls. tIgE in allergic diseases was significantly increased in comparison to healthy controls (P <.0001). Female gender influenced tIgE in AS, but not in AR or AD. tIgE predominated in younger age groups; however, no significant difference was found between younger and older groups. Optimum values for tIgE with best discriminative accuracy were 77 IU/ml for AS and 81 IU/ml for AR and AD. Eosinophils count appeared to be a useful adjunct, and correlate well with tIgE in the diagnosis of allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the toxicological assessment of extractables and leachables in drug products, localized hazards such as irritation or sensitization may be identified. Typically, because of the low concentration at which leachables occur in pharmaceuticals, irritation is of minimal concern; therefore, this manuscript focuses on sensitization potential. The primary objective of performing a leachable sensitization assessment is protection against Type IV induction of sensitization, rather than prevention of an elicitation response, as it is not possible to account for the immunological state of every individual. Sensitizers have a wide range of potencies and those which induce sensitization upon exposure at a low concentration (i.e. strong, or extreme sensitizers) pose the highest risk to patients and should be the focus of the risk assessment. The Extractables and Leachables Safety Information Exchange (ELSIE) consortium has reviewed the status of dermal, respiratory, and systemic risk assessment in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, and proposes a framework to evaluate the safety of known or potential dermal sensitizers in pharmaceuticals. Due to the lack of specific regulatory guidance on this topic, the science-driven risk-based approach proposed by ELSIE encourages consistency in the toxicological assessment of extractables and leachables to maintain high product quality and ensure patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is classified under GHS as a weak skin sensitiser and a skin and respiratory irritant. It has recently been proposed that MMA be classified as a respiratory sensitiser (a designation that in a regulatory context embraces both true respiratory allergens, as well as chemicals that cause asthma through non-immunological mechanisms). This proposal was based primarily upon the interpretation of human data. This review, and a detailed weight of evidence analysis, has led to another interpretation of these data. The conclusion drawn is that persuasive evidence consistent with the designation of MMA as a respiratory sensitiser is lacking. It is suggested that one reason for different interpretations of these data is that occupational asthma poses several challenges with respect to establishing causation. Among these is that it is difficult to distinguish between allergic asthma, non-allergic asthma, and work-related exacerbation of pre-existing asthma. Moreover, there is a lack of methods for the identification of true chemical respiratory allergens. The characterisation and causation of occupational asthma is consequently largely dependent upon interpretation of human data of various types. Recommendations are made that are designed to improve the utility and interpretation of human data for establishing causation in occupational asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is the Cluster analysis of specific IgE results in ALEX2 Allergy Explorer test in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. The complete dermatological and allergological examination including the examination of the sensitisation to allergen reagents with ALEX2 Allergy Explorer testing was performed. The cluster analysis (silhouette value) was processed for results of specific IgE and for clinical parameters. Altogether 100 atopic dermatitis patients were examined – 48 men, 52 women, the average age 40.9 years. Although the distribution of specific IgE results corresponds to the division into protein families, the links between specific IgE to allergens reagents in clusters are weak. Our results strongly point towards cross-reactivity for crustacean-allergic patients to desert locust, house cricket and stable flies. Combining the results of specific IgE for the basic allergen reagents together with the results of specific IgE for less common allergens can help in the estimating of allergic reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, food processing patterns are becoming more sophisticated and modernized for meeting abrupt increase in demand of allegen free food. The stance of availability of allergens free food is a rather hectic task to implement and consumers most probably become prone to them. Anaphylaxis is a serious health-related syndrome due to the adverse response of immune system. It aggravates by the consumption of foods that contain allergens by ultimately activating basophils and mast cells. There are more or less ten prominent foods that trigger anaphylaxis after the ingestion. Hence, avoiding allergen-containing food can limit the proliferation of anaphylaxis. In this article, the occurrence of allergic reactions with respect to sex disparities, most probable food allergens, diagnostic approaches and its management are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the relation between the sensitization to molecular components of inhalant allergens and the occurrence of food reactions in atopic dermatitis patients. Another aim is to evaluate the semi-quantification results of the ISAC Multiplex testing to reveal the relevance of the leading allergens. The complete dermatological and allergological examination including the examination of the sensitization to molecular components with Multiplex ISAC testing was performed. The food reactions to examined food allergens were confirmed in the open exposure test (history). Altogether 100 atopic dermatitis patients were examined – 48 men, 52 women, the average age 40.9 years. The leading molecular components are cysteine protease (Der f 1, Der p 1), NPC2 protease (Der f 2, Der p 2), Acidic glycoprotein (Alt a 1), PR 10 proteins (Bet v 1, Mal d 1, Aln g 1 and Cor 1.04), lipocalins (Can f 1, Fel d 4, Mus m 1, Equ c 1), uteroglobulin (Fel d 1), Kallikrein (Can f 5) and molecular components of Timothy and Bermuda grass (glycoprotein). The significantly higher occurrence of sensitization to molecular components Aln g 1, Bet v 1, Phl p 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 11 was confirmed in patients suffering from reactions to peanuts, hazelnuts, celery, apple and peach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the Study: Many allergens have protease activities. Although the immunomodulatory effects of these antigens are well known, the effects attributed to their protease activities are not thoroughly investigated. We set out to determine the effects of house dust mite (HDM) allergens with varying protease activities on bronchial epithelial cell functions. Materials and methods: BEAS-2B cells were maintained in ALI-culture and stimulated with Der p1 (cysteine protease), Der p6 (serine protease), and Der p2 (non-protease) with and without specific protease inhibitors or heat denaturation. Cell viability and epithelial permeability were measured with MTT and paracellular flux assay, respectively. The effect of heat denaturation on allergen structure was examined using in silico models. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were investigated at the transcription (qPCR), protein (ELISA), and functional (zymography) levels. Results: Epithelial permeability increased only after Der p6 but not after Der p1 or Der p2 stimulation. Der p2 increased both MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, while Der p1 increased only MMP-9 expression. The heat-denatured form of Der p1 unexpectedly increased MMP-9 gene expression, which, through the use of in silico models, was attributed to its ability to change receptor connections by the formation of new electrostatic and hydrogen bonds. IL-8 and GM-CSF production were increased after Der p1 and Der p2 but decreased after Der p6 stimulation. IL-6 decreased after Der p1 but increased following stimulation with Der p6 and heat-denatured Der p2. Conclusion: Allergens in house dust mites are capable of inducing various changes in the epithelial cell functions by virtue of their protease activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the diversity of Alternaria species in section Nimbya associated with symptomatic plants in the Cyperaceae and Juncaceae families was assessed. Multilocus sequence analyses of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and parts of Alternaria major allergen (Alt a 1), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) genes revealed the presence of two previously known species, A. scirpivora and A. caricicola, and three new species, which are described here as A. cypericola, sp. nov., A. heyranica, sp. nov., and A. junci-acuti, sp. nov. These new species were characterized morphologically with respect to the dimensions of conidia, the number of pseudosepta in mature conidia, and the type of conidium apical beak. According to the results of phylogenetic analyses, the presence of long, filiform true beak is not a reliable morphological indicator for grouping species in sections Alternantherae and Nimbya and phylogenetic species recognition should be used. All identified species were described, illustrated, and their morphology and phylogenetic relationships with other species in Alternaria section Nimbya were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]