Home Fungal Species to Which Asthmatic Children Are Exposed

Abstract

Background

Fungal exposures are believed to play an important role in the development of asthma and atopy, accounting for increased asthmatic symptoms and severe asthma exacerbation. Indoor fungal species vary both in taxa and concentration in different residences and in different regions.

Objectives

We explored the fungal species spectrum in eighty-eight homes with at least one asthmatic child in the Middle West region of US mostly during late spring and fall season in comparison to eighty-five homes that did not contain an asthmatic child during flu season.

Methods

The average fungal spore counts per cubic meter of air in the bedroom of the enrolled child, the main living spaces and outdoor environments, and the culturable fungal colony forming units per cubic meter of air samples in the main living space from each home were measured.

Results

The results indicated that Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Basidiospores, Epicoccum, and Pithomyces were found in more asthmatic homes than in homes without an asthmatic child or existed in higher concentration in asthmatic homes than in homes without an asthmatic child even after adjusting outdoor spore concentration. The results for culturable fungal species confirmed most of these findings even after adjusting for seasonal factors. Although Alternaria was commonly found in both kinds of homes, there was no significant difference in detection rate or concentration of Alternaria between asthmatic homes and homes without an asthmatic child by either spore counting or culturable airborne detection.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

Since many allergens have been identified in these fungal species, identifying and controlling these fungal species in asthmatic homes might be expected to improve asthma care and benefit asthmatic children.

© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd