Prevalence of hypersensitivity to specific fungal allergens as determined by intradermal dilutional testing.
OBJECTIVE
To determine fungal allergen reactivity prevalence by intradermal dilutional testing in patients with and without chronic rhinitis or rhinosinusitis symptoms.


METHODS
Prospective comparison of fungal allergen reactivity prevalence in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.


METHODS
University medical center.


METHODS
Group I (chronic rhinitis and/or rhinosinusitis symptoms) and Group II (asymptomatic) patients underwent intradermal dilutional testing with usual and fungal allergens.


RESULTS
Fungal reactivity occurred in 65% (13/20) of Group I, and 13% (4/30) of Group II (P < 0.0002 by chi(2) testing). Group I was more reactive to non-fungal allergens (85% vs. 33%, p < 0.0004), and to all allergens considered together (95% vs. 40%, p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with chronic rhinitis and rhinosinusitis symptoms were more reactive to fungal and nonfungal allergens. Fungal allergens were as likely as nonfungal to elicit reactivity.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest a role for fungal hypersensitivity in chronic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis.
Stroud
R H
RH
Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555, USA.
Calhoun
K H
KH
Wright
S T
ST
Kennedy
K L
KL
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D015927:Skin Test End-Point Titration
D000485:Allergens