IngentaConnect Specific fungal exposures, allergic sensitization, and rhinitis i...

Authors: Osborne, Melissa¹; Reponen, Tiina¹; Adhikari, Atin¹; Cho, Seung-Hyun¹; Grinshpun, Sergey A.¹; Levin, Linda¹; Bernstein, David I.²; LeMasters, Grace¹

Source: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Volume 17, Number 6, September 2006 , pp. 450-457(8)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

Abstract:

Osborne M, Reponen T, Adhikari A, Cho S-H, Grinshpun SA, Levin L, Bernstein DI, LeMasters G. Specific fungal exposures, allergic sensitization, and rhinitis in infants.

Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2006: 17: 450-457.

Indoor air quality has become increasingly important as we live in a society where the majority of our time is spent indoors. Specific attention has been drawn to airborne fungal spores as a factor affecting indoor air quality. This study targeted shortcomings of other studies by utilizing long-term air sampling and total fungal spore enumeration to determine associations between health outcomes and fungal spore concentrations. Infants (n = 144) were clinically evaluated and had skin prick tests (SPT) for 17 allergens. Airborne fungal spores were collected using a Button Personal Inhalable Sampler (SKC Inc.) for 48 h at a flow rate of 4 l/min. Sampling was conducted in the spring (March-May) or fall (August-October) in 2003-2004. Fungal spores were analyzed using microscopy-based total counting and identified to the genus/group level. Total spore and individual genus concentrations were analyzed for associations with rhinitis and positive SPT results. Overall, concentrations varied widely, between <2 and 2294 spores/m³. While no relationship was observed between SPT(+) and total fungal counts, several significant associations were found when analysis was conducted on the various fungal genera and health outcomes. Positive associations were obtained between: Basidiospores and rhinitis (p < 0.01), Penicillium/Aspergillus and SPT(+) to any allergen (p < 0.01), and Alternaria and SPT(+) to any allergen (p < 0.01). Inverse associations were found between: Cladosporium and SPT(+) to any allergen (p < 0.05), and Cladosporium and SPT(+) to aeroallergens (p < 0.05). This study indicates that health outcome may vary by fungal genera; some fungal types may have sensitizing effects while others may have a beneficial role.

Keywords: fungal spores; inhalation exposure; air microbiology; allergic sensitization; sampling; child; rhinitis

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2006.00414.x

Affiliations: 1: Environmental Health 2: Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA

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