Specific Fungal Exposures, Allergic Sensitization, and Rhinitis in Infants

<div class="line" id="line-22"> 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&hyphen;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 48h at a flow rate of 4l/min. Sampling was conducted in the spring (March&ndash;May) or fall (August&ndash;October) in 2003&ndash;2004. Fungal spores were analyzed using microscopy&hyphen;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 &lt;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&lt;0.01), Penicillium/Aspergillus and SPT(+) to any allergen (p&lt;0.01), and Alternaria and SPT(+) to any allergen (p&lt;0.01). Inverse associations were found between: Cladosporium and SPT(+) to any allergen (p&lt;0.05), and Cladosporium and SPT(+) to aeroallergens (p&lt;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.</div>