High levels of airborne fungi found in inner city homes having cats, cockroaches and dampness problems, increases the risk of asthma. The findings are based on an evaluation of the homes of 414 mold-sensitive children with asthma. The subjects were drawn from seven urban communities in the US. Researchers from the Boston University, USA, found that the fungi seen indoors was the same as that found outdoors. The most common species found outdoors and indoors was Cladosporium, followed by Penicillium and Aspergillus. Homes, which had cats living in them for the past six months had higher levels of indoor fungi as compared to the outdoor levels. Evidence of cockroaches in the child's bedroom was linked with high levels of Aspergillus, whereas dampness in the bedroom was tied to high levels of Cladosporium. The indoor-outdoor difference in fungal concentrations was significantly related to several home characteristics linked to dampness. Future investigations are needed to prove that fungal exposure has a role as an asthma risk factor.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology,
September 2004