Fungi present in home and their impact on human health-A short review

Abstract

It is estimated that even up to 30% of buildings worldwide may be the subject of complaints connected with the quality of indoor air. Potential sources of air pollution can be both organic and inorganic particles. This article focuses on biological air pollutants from living and dead biological sources, especially those connected with fungi. Fungi found in the indoor air of domestic dwellings in a large extent are similar in their species composition to those found on the outside of the building. Microorganisms enters into the buildings during the airing of rooms or through the different slots and can develop on the surfaces of various materials. Intensively develops in a poorly ventilated, damp and dusty environments. For this reason the exposure to the indoor air pollution might be stranger for inhabitants than the expose to the impurities of the outdoor air. Presence of fungi in domestic dwellings can be very danger because of most often is associated with allergic reactions, mycotoxins, volatile organic compounds or even with fungal infections.

Fungi and their secondary metabolites in water‐damaged indoors after a major flood event in eastern Croatia

“…However, it is known that viable and dead fungal spores and mycelial fragments may induce exacerbations of allergies and other inflammation reactions, which are seen at high concentrations of Alternaria , Cladosporium , Aspergillus , Penicillium , or Trichoderma genus as well as order Mucorales . 67 Recent study showed that in macrophages derived from human THP‐1 monocytes, STC and enniatin B applied alone induced a modest inflammatory response but in the presence of fungal cell wall β‐glucan provoked synergistically increased expression several inflammation‐related genes, mitochondrial damage, and autophagocytosis 68 . Taking into account the fungal dust metabolite profile and mycobiota composition of damp indoors in the present study, we may only speculate on the synergistic interactions of these complex mixtures and influence on human health.…”

Indoor Microclimate and Microbiological Risks in Heritage Buildings: A Case Study of the Neologic Sinagogue, Oradea, Romania

“…Microorganisms that have reached the interior of the rooms will be deposited on damp walls, at the level of windows, carpets or in any other areas with a high degree of humidity. Spores or conidia and other structures of fungi enter the human body in different ways: nasal, skin [73]. The periodic study of the microflora of the air is necessary because the risk of biodeterioration and human illness increases proportionally with the number of pathogenic germs and with the presence of certain pathogenic or potentially pathogenic species and with the presence of favorable conditions for their development (humidity, temperature, certain material types from which objects are made).…”

“…Exposure and sensitization to fungal allergens can promote the development and worsening of allergic diseases. Allergic manifestations induced by fungi are recognized and include asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, allergic sinusitis, pneumonia, urticaria, atopic dermatitis [52,73]. Allergic reactions can occur through all four types of hypersensitivity reactions I-IV.…”

“…The antigen involved in this type of reaction is most commonly mannan present in fungal cell walls. They are cytotoxic reactions that involve the formation of IgG and IgM antibodies, cytotoxic lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells or activated macrophages directed at the antigen that is incorporated into the blood cells or the cell membrane [73]. Examples of type III hypersensitivity to fungal antigens are alveolitis and bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis_ABPA).…”

A study of the impact of attacked façades on microbial contamination of the indoor air

“…Thus, microscopic fungi may be a contributing factor to sick building syndrome. Further toxic and carcinogenic effects of these substances remain a question [7,8]. Some fungal species may occasionally cause human diseases, for example, diseases of the skin, eye cornea, or inflammation of the internal organs.…”