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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Collection and Extraction of Occupational Air Samples for Analysis of Fungal DNA
Published on: May 2, 2018
Exposure to the airborne mould Botrytis and its health effects
Claudia Wurtz Jurgensen1, Anne Madsen
1The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lerso Parkalle 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen O, Denmark.
Abstract:
Most investigations into the correlation between exposure to fungi and detrimental health effects focus on the 2-4 most prevalent genera in ambient air, both outdoors and indoors. Yet over 80 genera of fungi have been shown to have allergenic potential. Also, there is no agreement about threshold values for exposure to fungi. One of the fungal genera expected to be less prevalent in ambient air and known to cause allergy is Botrytis. In this review, we investigate the airborne exposure level and health effect of Botrytis, both at general exposure and in occupational settings. The surveyed papers show that Botrytis is found globally with different spore seasons depending on the region investigated. The levels of Botrytis in the percentage of all fungi have a calculated median of around 1.1% in the different environments, confirming that it is among the less prevalent fungi. Furthermore, a substantial proportion of patients and workers are allergic to Botrytis cinerea, and when B. cinerea was included in extended test panels additional allergic patients were found. Thus, B. cinerea is as important as the more prevalent mould genera Cladosporium and Alternaria and we suggest that it should be included in standard allergic tests panels.
Insights
This review highlights that the fungus Botrytis, though less common in the air, significantly causes allergies in patients and workers. Botrytis cinerea should be included in standard allergy tests due to its impact.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Mycology
- Allergology
Background:
- Most research on fungal health effects focuses on prevalent airborne genera.
- Over 80 fungal genera possess allergenic potential, yet many are understudied.
- Threshold values for fungal exposure and health impacts remain undefined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate airborne exposure levels of the fungus Botrytis.
- To examine the health effects associated with Botrytis exposure in general and occupational settings.
- To assess the allergenic significance of Botrytis, particularly Botrytis cinerea.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature on Botrytis airborne levels and health effects.
- Analysis of prevalence data for Botrytis spores in various environments.
- Evaluation of studies reporting allergic reactions to Botrytis, including occupational exposures.
Main Results:
- Botrytis is found globally, with regional variations in spore seasons.
- Botrytis constitutes a median of approximately 1.1% of airborne fungi.
- A significant number of patients and workers exhibit allergies to Botrytis cinerea.
Conclusions:
- Botrytis cinerea is a clinically relevant allergen, comparable to more prevalent genera like Cladosporium and Alternaria.
- The study suggests including Botrytis cinerea in standard allergy diagnostic panels.
- Further research into less prevalent but allergenic fungi is warranted.
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