Microfungi in Beds and their Relation to House-Dust Mites

Andersen, Andreas

doi:10.1080/00173138509427423

Cited by 15 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Details of the house age, structure, general condition/state of repair, type of heating and cooking fuel and cleanliness were obtained by a combination of observation and questionnaire information supplied by the volunteers. The analysis of the dust and the air samples focused on particular types of fungi known to be allergenic, notably Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium and Alternaria (Andersen, 1985). The presence of other main types including Tilletiopsis, Basidiomycetes and Asconaycetes was also noted.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The incidence of fungal spores in the ambient air and inside homes: Evidence from London

1995

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Little research has been carried out in London concerning fungal spore prevalence yet this information may help to elucidate geographical patterns of asthma and hay fever. Although many types of spore reach peak concentrations outdoors in late-summer, the incidences in the indoor environment may be more important through the winter because of heating and poor ventilation. Daily average concentrations of fungal spores in the ambient atmosphere were monitored with a Burkard volumetric spore trap on an exposed roof in North London from autumn 1991 until the summer of 1992. Indoor spore measurements were taken in 19 homes in the vicinity through the winter months, both by direct air sampling using a portable Burkard sampler and by dust culture. Trends in the occurrence and concentrations of fungal spores indoors and outdoors were examined. Relationships between the abundance of selected allergenic fungi and features of the houses were analysed including age of dwelling, dampness, cleanliness and presence of pets. Aspergillus and Penicillium were the most frequently occurring spore types in the homes. Overall, high spore incidence was associated with dampness and dust accumulation. The outdoor spore samples revealed generally low concentrations through the winter until March when concentrations of many types including Cladosporium, Epicoccum and Alternaria increased in abundance in response to the warmer weather. Even during the late-spring and early-summer, concentrations of most fungal spores were notably below those reported for rural sites.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The incidence of fungal spores in the ambient air and inside homes: Evidence from London

1995

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“…Understanding the aerobiology of fungal spores is an important part of understanding human atopy due to moulds. The allergic responses are generally due to the inhalation of spores rather than myceliaderived material [39][40][41].…”

Section: Environmental Exposure and Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxic Moulds and Indoor Air Quality

Singh¹

2005

Indoor and Built Environment

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Indoor air quality issues associated with exposure to moulds and their metabolites, mycotoxins, are becoming of increasing importance. There are believed to be about 1.5 million species of fungi of which more than 1000 species have evolved to exploit the built environment. Sexually mature fungi produce large numbers of spores that when airborne can be inhaled and deposited on the mucosal surface of the upper airways and in the eyes. Occupants of buildings may be affected in any of a number of ways. Fungi and moulds can contribute to the sick building syndrome or other building related illnesses and some people can have an allergic response. Such exposure to moulds and the other fungi and their spores indoors is unavoidable except when the most stringent air filtration or other environmental measures are observed. The repeated exposure to large amount of particular fungal propagules is an important risk factor for the development of specific allergic reactions. There are also a large number of toxic mould metabolites which can have a range of biological activities. Black Mould ( Stachybotrys chartarum), in particular has been implicated in illnesses associated with living in damp houses. Reactions may be severe as in recent reports of idiopathic pulmonary haemorrhage in very young children in Cleveland, Ohio. Although some governmental agencies have published guidelines on mould assessment and remediation most are very general in nature and most focus on Black Mould as the major concern.

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“…There is a correlation between indoor mould and house-dust mite growth. Similar environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity may promote the growth of both, particularly in mattress dust (28)(29)(30). Moulds can serve as a nourishment for Dermatophagoides species, favouring the mites' survival and growth (31).…”

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confidence: 99%