Specific Fungal Allergen, Does it Really Matter?
- December 6, 2016
- 0 comments
- Bob Krell
- Posted in FeaturedHealthMold/Microbial
Development and exacerbation of allergic disease can be promoted by exposure and sensation to allergens. Indoor allergens such as animal dander, dust mites, and mold have been reported to associate with allergic disease. In indoor and outdoor environment both fungal spores and particles are widely distributed, and exposure has been shown to, in individuals who are sensitized to fungi, induce allergic disease and exacerbate symptoms.
When examining the relationships between fungal exposure and allergic disease, many studies have focused on the total fungal spore count and not the specific fungal species. Examples have been cited with varying spore counts producing both positive and negative responses. Recently, the AAIR Journal, Lin et al, reported the importance of specific allergenic species instead of total spore count. Specific as well as total spore counts were measured in 12 allergic patients’ homes at inactive and active symptom stages. This revealed a relationship to the specific fungal species and not the total spore count. Though the small sample size and focus on fungal allergens (and not dust mites or other common issues) must be considered, they concluded that the specific species are important.
Recently studies have shown the clinical implications of high concentration of small fungal fragments in asthma severity. Fungal hyphe and fragmented conidia are examples of submicron fungal airborne spores. These may be allergen sources. The research that it was the submicron fungal fragments, not the fungal spores, that were being identified as the potential risk.
Improved technology has improved the identification of species-specific allergic modules greatly. The data is still insufficient but further studies are warranted. Identifying all of the specific factors for allergy exacerbations is vital to determining what role fungal species play in fungal allergic patients. Submicron fragments must also be fully identified before a better understanding can be reached.