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Relationship between mold exposure, specific IgE sensitization, and clinical asthma: A case-control study
Muriel Vincent1, Francis Corazza2, Camille Chasseur3
1Program Allergology, Scientific Service Immunology, WIV-ISP (site Uccle), Brussels, Belgium.
Background:
Most of the findings related to the noxious effect of mold sensitization on asthma come from investigations based on Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium herbarum, and Aspergillus fumigatus. However, species such as Penicillium spp, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, or Aspergillus versicolor display a more pronounced indoor tropism, and their potential harmful respiratory effects cannot be neglected.
Objective:
The goal of this work was to relate mold sensitizations with asthma severity and with the level of indoor mold contamination among mold-sensitized patients with asthma and nonsensitized patients with asthma.
Methods:
A case-control study was conducted and several asthma severity markers were compared between patients with asthma with and without mold sensitization. Indoor contamination of patients' dwellings was also investigated.
Results:
Our findings confirmed the association between sensitization to A fumigatus and severity for patients with asthma in contrast with sensitization to other species. Indoor mold contamination was detected in approximately 90% of dwellings. Overall mold exposure was not associated with asthma severity. However, regardless of the sensitization, exposure to A fumigatus and Penicillium spp in dust was linked to an increased risk of severe asthma.
Conclusion:
The harmful nature of mold sensitization and mold exposure for patients with asthma was not confirmed in this study. However, sensitization to A fumigatus was associated with an increased risk for severe asthma. A better investigation of the properties of Penicillium spp is recommended because its exposure was found to be associated with a more pronounced impairment of lung function.
Insights
Mold sensitization to Aspergillus fumigatus is linked to severe asthma. Indoor mold exposure, especially Penicillium spp., may also increase asthma severity, warranting further investigation into these common indoor molds.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pulmonology
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Limited research exists on the respiratory effects of indoor-molding species beyond common allergens like Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium herbarum, and Aspergillus fumigatus.
- Species such as Penicillium spp., Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Aspergillus versicolor show greater indoor prevalence, necessitating evaluation for respiratory health impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between mold sensitization, asthma severity, and indoor mold contamination levels.
- To compare asthma severity markers in mold-sensitized versus non-sensitized asthma patients.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- Asthma severity markers were compared between sensitized and non-sensitized asthma patients.
- Indoor mold contamination in patient residences was assessed.
Main Results:
- Sensitization to Aspergillus fumigatus was associated with increased asthma severity, unlike sensitization to other molds.
- Approximately 90% of investigated homes had detectable indoor mold contamination.
- While overall mold exposure was not linked to asthma severity, exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium spp. in dust correlated with a higher risk of severe asthma.
Conclusions:
- This study did not confirm the general harmful effects of mold sensitization or exposure on asthma.
- Sensitization to Aspergillus fumigatus emerged as a significant risk factor for severe asthma.
- Further research into Penicillium spp. is recommended due to its association with significant lung function impairment.
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