Acute effects of Aspergillus versicolor aerosols on murine airways

Mice were exposed to aerosols from Aspergillus versicolor extract by inhalation (for 15-20 min). Changes in respiratory function parameters were monitored during the exposure to evaluate acute effects on the upper and lower respiratory tracts and the conductive airways. The single inhalation exposure to A. versicolor aerosols at the range of 12-151 mg/m3 provoked upper respiratory tract irritation in the airways of mice. The higher the exposure concentration the higher was the increase in the sensory irritation (SI) response. No bronchoconstriction or pulmonary irritation was observed. The causative agents for the SI response in the fungal extract are not known.