title: Specific fungal exposures, allergic sensitization, and rhinitis in infants.
abstract: 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/m(3). 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Osborne
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Reponen
authors.forename: Atin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adhikari
authors.forename: Seung-Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Sergey A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Grinshpun
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: David I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: LeMasters
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005658:Fungi / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000209:etiology*; D007223:Infant; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000209:etiology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification