Deakin University
Browse

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 Suphioglu
Despite 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 Sciences

Volume

23

Issue

8

Article number

ARTN 4313

Pagination

1 - 12

Publisher

MDPI / MDPI AG (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

Location

Basel, Switzerland

ISSN

1661-6596

eISSN

1422-0067

Language

English

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal