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Fungal Allergy: Pattern of sensitization over the past 11 years

R Fernández-Soto1, E M Navarrete-Rodríguez1, B E Del-Rio-Navarro1

  • 1Servicio de Alergia e Inmunología Clínica Pediátrica, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico.

Allergologia Et Immunopathologia
|May 10, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fungal sensitization affects over 50% of allergic children in Mexico, with Aspergillus being the most common allergen. This rate remained consistent over an 11-year period, highlighting a significant public health concern.

Area of Science:

  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Medicine

Background:

  • Fungal sensitization is a known risk factor for asthma development, with prevalence potentially reaching 50% in urban areas.
  • The increasing prevalence of allergic diseases raises questions about concurrent trends in fungal sensitization.
  • Limited data exists on the precise prevalence and trends of fungal sensitization in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of sensitization to common fungi in children with allergic conditions.
  • To analyze trends in fungal sensitization over an 11-year period.
  • To identify the most frequent fungal allergens responsible for sensitization in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of skin test data from 8794 children (ages 2-18) with allergic conditions.
  • Evaluated sensitization to six fungi: Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Cladosporium herbarum, Mucor mucedo, and Penicillium notatum.
  • Descriptive analysis and chi-squared tests were employed to analyze the data.

Main Results:

  • Over 86% (7565 out of 8794) of patients showed sensitization to at least one fungus.
  • Aspergillus fumigatus was the most frequent sensitizing fungus, identified in 16.8% of patients.
  • Fungal sensitization rates varied annually, ranging from 49.8% in 2008 to 58% in 2014, but the overall rate exceeded 50% throughout the study period.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of sensitization to at least one fungus in the study population exceeded 50%, higher than reported in other Mexican medical centers.
  • Fungal sensitization rates remained relatively constant over the 11-year study period.
  • Aspergillus species were the most common cause of fungal sensitization among the studied pediatric population.
Keywords:
AlternariaAspergillusCladosporiumFungiPenicilliumSkin test

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