Asthma and fungi in the home
Holst, P.E.; Coleman, E.D.; Sheridan, J.E.; O'Donnell, T.V.; Sutthoff, P.T.
New Zealand Medical Journal 96(740): 718-720
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-8446 PMID: 6577349 Document Number: 218884
During a 9 month survey, viable fungal spores were collected in the homes of 35 asthmatic patients. The most prevalent isolates were Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium and Alternaria spp. and basidiomycetes. Regional and seasonal differences were noted. In about one-third of the patients there was a relationship between symptoms of asthma or peak expiratory flow rate and the presence of particular fungi, especially Aspergillus spp. None of the patients who demonstrated a correlation between fungal isolations and asthma manifestations had a positive skin test to fungi commonly found in the home.