File(s) not publicly available
Impact of Fungal Spores on Asthma Prevalence and Hospitalization
journal contribution
posted on 2022-04-13, 00:00 authored by K M Hughes, D Price, Angel TorrieroAngel Torriero, Matthew SymondsMatthew Symonds, Cenk SuphiogluCenk SuphiogluDespite making up a significant proportion of airborne allergens, the relationship between fungal spores and asthma is not fully explored. Only 80 taxa of fungi have so far been observed to exacerbate respiratory presentations, with Cladosporium spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Alternaria spp. found to comprise the predominant allergenic airborne spores. Fungal spores have been found in indoor environments, such as hospitals and housing due to poor ventilation. Meanwhile, outdoor fungal spores exhibit greater diversity, and higher abundance and have been associated with hospitalizations from acute asthma presentations. In addition, fungal spores may be the underlying, and perhaps the “missing link”, factor influencing the heightened rate of asthma presentations during epidemic thunderstorm asthma events. To improve our knowledge gap on fungal spores, airborne allergen monitoring must be improved to include not only dominant allergenic fungi but also provide real-time data to accurately and quickly warn the general public. Such data will help prevent future asthma exacerbations and thus save lives. In this review, we examine the health risks of prominent allergenic fungal taxa, the factors influencing spore dispersal and distribution, and why improvements should be made to current sampling methods for public health and wellbeing.
History
Journal
International Journal of Molecular SciencesVolume
23Issue
8Article number
ARTN 4313Pagination
1 - 12Publisher
MDPI / MDPI AG (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)Location
Basel, SwitzerlandPublisher DOI
Link to full text
ISSN
1661-6596eISSN
1422-0067Language
EnglishPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalUsage metrics
Categories
Keywords
AIRBORNE FUNGIALLERGIC RHINITISALTERNARIA-ALTERNATAasthmaBiochemistry & Molecular BiologyChemistryChemistry, Multidisciplinaryfungal allergyfungal sporeINDOORLife Sciences & BiomedicineMETEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONSNATIONAL-HEALTHNUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEYOUTDOOR FUNGIPhysical SciencesRESPIRATORY HEALTHRISK-FACTORScience & Technologythunderstorm asthmaGenetics
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC