title: Evaluation of the association between sensitization to common inhalant fungi and poor asthma control.
abstract: Fungi are well-known airborne allergens that are predisposing environmental factors to asthma. Few comparative studies have evaluated sensitization to common inhalant fungi in relation to poor asthma control in patients with asthma.
  
  
  
  To evaluate the association between sensitization to individual fungi and asthma control and elucidate the characteristics of patients with poorly controlled asthma sensitized to fungi.
  
  
  
  This cross-sectional study was performed at Showa University Hospital between September 2014 and December 2014. The specific IgE levels for several major aeroallergens, including house dust mites, Japanese cedar, various types of pollen, furry animals, or insects, were measured with a fluorescent enzyme immunoassay in 160 patients with adult asthma.
  
  
  
  Fungal sensitization was predominant in men with asthma, and it was associated with poor asthma control. Sensitization to house dust mites, Japanese cedar, pollen, furry animals, or insects was not associated with poor asthma control. Logistic regression analyses revealed that patients sensitized to Aspergillus and Penicillium had a significantly increased risk of poor asthma control. More Penicillium IgE-positive patients were men and pet owners compared with Penicillium IgE-negative patients; in addition, Penicillium IgE-positive patients had higher total IgE levels. The Asthma Control Test level was significantly higher in Penicillium IgE-positive patients than in Penicillium IgE-negative patients. However, there were no differences in fractional exhaled nitric oxide, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second. Finally, sensitization to Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Trichophyton were positively correlated with sensitization to Penicillium.
  
  
  
  Sensitization to fungi is predominant in men, and it is associated with poor asthma control. In particular, sensitization to Penicillium and Aspergillus is a risk factor for asthma severity. These results have potential relevance in asthma management.
authors: Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Medicine, Showa University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: tanakaa@med.showa-u.ac.jp.
authors: Akihiko
authors: A
authors: Tanaka
authors: Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Medicine, Showa University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Akiko
authors: A
authors: Fujiwara
authors: Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Medicine, Showa University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Yoshitaka
authors: Y
authors: Uchida
authors: Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Medicine, Showa University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Munehiro
authors: M
authors: Yamaguchi
authors: Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Medicine, Showa University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Shin
authors: S
authors: Ohta
authors: Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Medicine, Showa University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Tetsuya
authors: T
authors: Homma
authors: Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Medicine, Showa University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Yoshio
authors: Y
authors: Watanabe
authors: Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Medicine, Showa University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Mayumi
authors: M
authors: Yamamoto
authors: Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Medicine, Showa University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Shintaro
authors: S
authors: Suzuki
authors: Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Medicine, Showa University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Takuya
authors: T
authors: Yokoe
authors: Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Medicine, Showa University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Hironori
authors: H
authors: Sagara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007073:Immunoglobulin E