Early fungal exposure can enhance allergy risk

July 5, 2006

Wed Jul 5, 2006 8:21 PM BST

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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Exposure to certain airborne fungal

spores in early childhood may increase the risk of developing non-

fungal allergies, according to researchers at the University of

Cincinnati, Ohio. Conversely, some fungal types seem to protect

against the development of allergies.

" It turns out that the health effects of airborne fungal spores are

more complicated than we thought, " one of the researchers, Dr. Tiina

Reponen, said in a statement.

Reponen and colleagues examined the possible health consequences of

such exposure in a study of 144 infants, published in the June 14th

online issue of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology.

The subjects were evaluated and underwent skin prick tests for 17

allergens. They were then fitted with the Button Personal Inhalable

Aerosol Sampler, (SKC), a device that samples air over 48 hours and

is almost 100-percent effective in collecting particles of 1

micrometer in diameter.

Although no relationship was seen between total fungal counts and

positive results on the skin prick test, there were several

significant associations between types of fungi and health outcomes.

The researchers found a correlation between detection of

Basidiospores and nasal infection, as well as between Penicillium

and Aspergillus and testing positive for any allergen.

However, there was an inverse association between exposure to

Cladosporium and having a positive skin test for any allergen.

The researchers suggest that some type of fungi increase the

likelihood of developing allergies, while others may have a

protective effect.

" To understand the clinical implications of these findings, Reponen

told Reuters Health, " we need to continue the follow-up these

children and investigate how the early exposure affects their health

later in life. "

SOURCE: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, June 14, 2006 online.

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