Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Collection and Extraction of Occupational Air Samples for Analysis of Fungal DNA
12:02

Collection and Extraction of Occupational Air Samples for Analysis of Fungal DNA

Published on: May 2, 2018

Indoor fungal exposure

Christine A Rogers1

  • 1Environmental Science and Engineering Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Landmark Center, PO Box 15677, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, USA. crogers@hsph.harvard.edu

Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America
|October 4, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Fungal exposure is linked to asthma exacerbations, but its role in causing asthma is unclear. Indoor fungal contamination is undesirable, necessitating better understanding of spore dispersal and health impact assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Environmental Health
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Fungi cause diverse human health issues, including infectious, allergic, and toxic effects.
  • Fungal exposure is strongly associated with asthma exacerbations and home dampness, but causality is undetermined.
  • Concerns exist regarding toxic effects of airborne fungi indoors, though mycotoxin impacts are debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the complex relationship between fungi and human health.
  • To investigate the role of fungal exposure in respiratory conditions, particularly asthma.
  • To highlight the need for improved understanding of fungal spore dispersal and health impact assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on fungal exposure and health effects.
  • Analysis of the association between home dampness and respiratory health.
  • Discussion of environmental monitoring techniques for fungi.

Main Results:

  • Fungal exposure unequivocally exacerbates asthma.
  • The link between home dampness and respiratory issues is strong, with fungi suspected as a factor.
  • Current guidelines for interpreting health impacts of environmental fungi are lacking.

Conclusions:

  • Indoor fungal contamination is undesirable.
  • Further research is required to isolate, characterize, and standardize fungal agents for accurate health impact assessment.
  • Understanding fungal spore release and dispersal is crucial for exposure assessment.

More Related Videos

Efficient Method for Imaging Murine Lungs that Preserves Spatial Dynamics of Fungal Spores in the Airways10:06

Efficient Method for Imaging Murine Lungs that Preserves Spatial Dynamics of Fungal Spores in the Airways

Published on: December 13, 2024

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy-Based Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia Distribution in Whole-Mount Optically Cleared Mouse Lung15:01

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy-Based Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia Distribution in Whole-Mount Optically Cleared Mouse Lung

Published on: September 18, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Candidiasis01:20

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...