The role of fungi in allergic diseases
1Department of Allergology and Environmental Hazards, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland. Head: Dr Wioletta A. Żukiewicz-Sobczak.
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii
|November 27, 2013
Abstract:
Allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, asthma, airborne dermatitis, or allergic conjunctivitis, can be caused or aggravated by components of bioaerosol from natural environment or from indoor environment in enclosed spaces, workplaces and homes. The main components of bioaerosol are fungi and their metabolites, which are common in the environment.
Insights
Bioaerosols, primarily fungi and their metabolites from indoor and outdoor environments, are significant triggers and aggravators of allergic diseases. Understanding these airborne allergens is crucial for managing conditions like asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Allergology
- Mycology
Background:
- Allergic diseases encompass a range of conditions including allergic rhinitis, asthma, and dermatitis.
- Environmental factors, particularly bioaerosols, play a critical role in the etiology and exacerbation of these conditions.
- Fungi and their metabolites are prevalent components of bioaerosols in both natural and indoor settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the role of bioaerosols as causative or aggravating agents in allergic diseases.
- To identify the primary components of bioaerosols responsible for allergic reactions.
- To emphasize the significance of environmental fungi in allergy pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on bioaerosol composition and allergic disease triggers.
- Analysis of environmental sampling data for fungal presence.
- Review of clinical studies linking bioaerosol exposure to allergic symptomology.
Main Results:
- Bioaerosols from natural and indoor environments frequently contain fungi and their metabolites.
- These fungal components are identified as common triggers or exacerbating factors for various allergic conditions.
- Exposure to airborne fungi is directly associated with the onset or worsening of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and dermatitis.
Conclusions:
- Fungal bioaerosols are a major environmental concern for individuals with allergic predispositions.
- Controlling exposure to airborne fungi in homes and workplaces is essential for allergy management.
- Further research into specific fungal allergens and their metabolites is warranted to develop targeted interventions.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Overview of Fungi
2.4K
Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
2.4K
02:06Allergic Reactions
26.7K
Overview
26.7K
01:28Fungal Phylum Ascomycota
2.4K
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...
2.4K
01:28Asthma I: Introduction
311
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
311
01:27Allergic Drug Reactions
1.6K
Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing...
1.6K
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
2.1K
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...
2.1K