Household airborne Penicillium associated with peak expiratory flow variability in asthmatic children.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to airborne fungi has been associated with increased airway hyperreactivity and asthma prevalence.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between common indoor fungi and airway hyperreactivity measured by peak expiratory flow variability in asthmatic children.


METHODS
Children 6 to 12 years of age (n = 225) with a physician diagnosis of asthma were enrolled in the study to have their peak expiratory flow recorded twice daily during a 2-week period. Genus-specific, quantitative, in-home airborne mold concentrations were measured. Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between a mean peak expiratory flow variability greater than 18.5% (75th percentile) and any mold in the home (total mold, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria).


RESULTS
Mold was detected in 93% of the homes. The most common molds were Cladosporium in 72% and Penicillium in 42% of the samples. Controlling for sex, ethnicity, age, and winter season of sampling, Penicillium measured in the home was associated with a mean peak expiratory flow variability greater than 18.5% (odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-4.8). Greater peak expiratory flow variability was not associated with total mold or other mold measured in the home.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to airborne Penicillium is associated with increased peak expiratory flow variability in asthmatic children.
Bundy
Kemp W
KW
Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy/Immunology & Rheumatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642, USA. Kemp_Bundy@urmc.rochester.edu
Gent
Janneane F
JF
Beckett
William
W
Bracken
Michael B
MB
Belanger
Kathleen
K
Triche
Elizabeth
E
Leaderer
Brian P
BP
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D010407:Penicillium / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification