title: The role of molds in the relation between indoor environment and atopy in asthma patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of mold fungi to allergic sensitization is not well-known. We aimed to evaluate the role of molds in the relation between indoor environment and atopy in asthmatics.
  
  
  METHODS
  The air samples obtained from 66 stable asthmatics and 35 control subject's houses were sprayed into Sabouraud dextrose agar. Allergy skin testing were performed in both groups. The temperature and humidity of each house were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of atopy was similar in cases (59.1%) and controls (51.4%). The average amount of mold was 35.9 CFU/m(3) and 34.3 CFU/m(3), respectively. The number of household residents was positively correlated with the amount of molds. There was no difference in the amount of mold with respect to dosage of inhaler corticosteroids as well as symptom levels in asthmatics. The most frequently encountered allergens were Dermatophagoides farinae/Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, grass/weeds and molds. Spending childhood in a village was more common among atopics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Living environment during the childhood might affect atopy and asthma. Based on the identification of molds as the second most frequent allergen after mites in our study population, assessment of mold sensitization as well as in forming patients about ways to avoid them seem likely to contribute to the effective management of uncontrolled asthma.
authors: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey.
authors: Emel
authors: E
authors: Ceylan
authors: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey.
authors: Sibel
authors: S
authors: Doruk
authors: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Sebahat
authors: S
authors: Genc
authors: Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Ayşe Aydan
authors: AA
authors: Ozkutuk
authors: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Aydın, Turkey.
authors: Fisun
authors: F
authors: Karadag
authors: Department of PublicHealth, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Gul
authors: G
authors: Ergor
authors: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Bahriye Oya
authors: BO
authors: Itil
authors: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Arif Hikmet
authors: AH
authors: Cımrın
keywords: Air pollution; asthma; indoor environment; mold