Mold allergy—spores and mycelium as allergen sources

Aukrust, L.; Borch, S. M.; Einarsson, R.

doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.1985.tb04298.x

Cited by 16 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Figure 4 shows a comparison between the number of fragments and spores released from agar surfaces at four air velocities. The number of released fragments ranged from 160 to 1,400 particles per cm 2 , and the number of spores ranged from 1 to 70 per cm 2 . Although the optical particle counter used in this study detects and counts particles only down to 0.3 m, the data indicate that concentrations of released fragments were 11 to 320 times higher than those for spores of A. versicolor, 17 to 170 times higher than those for spores of C. cladosporioides, and 7 to 270 times higher than those for spores of P. melinii.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study revealed that fungal fragments are aerosolized simultaneously with spores from contaminated surfaces. The released fungal fragments consistently outnumber the spores and can exceed 6 ϫ 10 5 particles per cm 2 . Such changes in the number of potentially immunologically relevant particles should be taken into consideration when performing exposure assessments in indoor environments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some researchers have compared the allergic responses of spore and mycelial extracts and have found that they share common allergens but that their reactivities vary and, in some cases of extract comparison, the intensities of the reactions from mycelium can exceed those obtained from the comparable spore extract studies (2,12,13). Our findings seem to be in good agreement with these results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fungal Fragments as Indoor Air Biocontaminants

Górny

Reponen

Willeke

et al. 2002

Appl Environ Microbiol

335

265

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The aerosolization process of fungal propagules of three species (Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium melinii, and Cladosporium cladosporioides) was studied by using a newly designed and constructed aerosolization chamber. We discovered that fungal fragments are aerosolized simultaneously with spores from contaminated agar and ceiling tile surfaces. Concentration measurements with an optical particle counter showed that the fragments are released in higher numbers (up to 320 times) than the spores. The release of fungal propagules varied depending on the fungal species, the air velocity above the contaminated surface, and the texture and vibration of the contaminated material. In contrast to spores, the release of fragments from smooth surfaces was not affected by air velocity, indicating a different release mechanism. Correlation analysis showed that the number of released fragments cannot be predicted on the basis of the number of spores. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with monoclonal antibodies produced against Aspergillus and Penicillium fungal species showed that fragments and spores share common antigens, which not only confirmed the fungal origin of the fragments but also established their potential biological relevance. The considerable immunological reactivity, the high number, and the small particle size of the fungal fragments may contribute to human health effects that have been detected in buildings with mold problems but had no scientific explanation until now. This study suggests that future fungal spore investigations in buildings with mold problems should include the quantitation of fungal fragments.Water damage in buildings is common and is often associated with mold problems. In North America, cross-sectional questionnaire studies have found that 27 to 36% of homes have mold problems (9, 51). Studies that included indoor air quality measurements have shown even higher numbers, from 42 to 56% (8, 11). In Europe, the prevalence of damp and moldy homes has been reported to be 17 to 46% for Great Britain (5,23,34,42), 15 to 18% for The Netherlands (3, 55,56), and 15% for Finland (41). Alarmingly, signs of present or previous moisture-related defects were found in 80% of randomly selected private homes investigated by civil engineers trained to recognize the signs of water leaks or condensation (37).Increased prevalence of water-damaged buildings and subsequent fungal contamination may contribute to the noted increase in allergic diseases. Fungi can affect human health in a variety of ways. Possible reactions generally fall into one of three groups: allergic reactions (sensitization and immune responses, i.e., asthma, allergic rhinitis, or hypersensitivity pneumonitis), infections (growth of the fungus in or on the body, e.g., aspergillosis), and toxic responses (24,30,45). The toxic reactions are mainly connected with the secondary fungal metabolites, i.e., mycotoxins, but the role of cell wall components, such as ␤-(133)-D-glucans, has also been reported (4,26,29,45,47,50). In addition, expos...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fungal Fragments as Indoor Air Biocontaminants

Górny

Reponen

Willeke

et al. 2002

Appl Environ Microbiol

335

265

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“…Alternaria, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Rhizopus spp are among those fungi which are considered most important medically (Aukrust et al, 1985). These species have been implicated in allergic reactions and bronchopulmonary disease and may cause conditions ranging from pulmonary hypersensitivity disease (eg allergy, asthma) to lifethreatening infection (Pennington, 1986 (Rippon, 1987 …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microflora associated with the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata (Fab) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Saskatchewan, Canada

Goerzen

1991

Apidologie

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“…45-, 65-, and 70-kD pro tein components were found to be common in all the three extracts of F solani. Six protein components (15,17,19,24,25, and 64 kD) were unique in CF antigen, while three (28,42, and 68 kD) and one (40 kD) were unique in MY and SP antigens, respectively (table 2). Out of the 15 RAST-positivc patient sera collected, IgEspccific immunoblot analysis with five patient sera (4.…”

Section: Immunoblotmentioning

confidence: 99%

<i>Fusarium solani</i>: Immunochemical Characterization of Allergens

Verma

Gangal²

1994

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

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Allergenic components of the fungus Fusarium solani were isolated using (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation and ion-exchange column chromatography. The allergenicity of fractions was studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioallergosorbent test inhibition techniques. Proteins of culture filtrate (CF), mycelium (MY), and spore (SP) extracts of F. solani were characterized by isoelectrofocusing, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and IgE-specific immunoblotting. CF antigen of F. solani contained more allergenic proteins than MY and SP, visible on immunoblot analysis using allergenic serum pool. A 65-kD protein component of CF was found to be a major allergen, as it was strongly visible on immunoblots of all 15 patient sera tested. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition using rabbit antibodies raised against F solani CF demonstrated shared antigenicity between CF, MY, and SP extracts. It was observed that F. solani is a significant allergen, and most of the allergens of MY and SP extracts were found in CF extract. Therefore, CF alone can be used in the preparation of a standard extract. However, few unique allergenic proteins were observed in MY as well as in SP extracts of F. solani. Hence, the use of combined CF, MY, and SP extracts of F. solani is recommended for diagnosis and immunotherapy.

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Mold allergy—spores and mycelium as allergen sources

Cited by 16 publications

References 3 publications

Fungal Fragments as Indoor Air Biocontaminants

Fungal Fragments as Indoor Air Biocontaminants

Microflora associated with the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata (Fab) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Saskatchewan, Canada

<i>Fusarium solani</i>: Immunochemical Characterization of Allergens

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