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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Collection and Extraction of Occupational Air Samples for Analysis of Fungal DNA
Published on: May 2, 2018
Occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to molds in an onion and potato sorter
R Merget1, I Sander, P Rozynek
1BGFA-Research Institute of Occupational Medicine, German Social Accident Insurance, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany. merget@bgfa.de
Abstract:
A 42-year-old female non-smoking onion and potato sorter developed work-related shortness of breath, cough, fatigue and flu-like symptoms. The diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis was based on patchy infiltrates in both lungs on high resolution computed tomography and lymphocytosis of 71% in a bronchoalveolar lavage sample with a CD4/CD8 ratio of 0.4. Exposure cessation and initial corticosteroid therapy resulted in complete recovery. IgG antibodies to Penicillium species and Fusarium solani cultivated from samples from the patient's workplace were detected in the patient's serum and cross-reactivity was demonstrated within Penicillium species, but also between Penicillium species and Aspergillus fumigatus. We conclude that occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to molds may develop in onion and potato sorters.
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