Toxic and other non-IgE-mediated effects of fungal exposures. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2003 Sep;3(5):438-46
Date
08/09/2003Pubmed ID
12906783DOI
10.1007/s11882-003-0081-yScopus ID
2-s2.0-0142089721 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 9 CitationsAbstract
There are more than 100000 recognized species of fungi, comprising 25% of the biomass of the earth. Allergic, IgE-induced, manifestations of airborne fungi are common, whereas non-IgE manifestations are rare. Recently, much focus has been placed on the non-IgE-mediated effects of various molds, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, infectious disease, and mycotoxicoses. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a clinical syndrome associated with systemic and interstitial lung disease that occurs in susceptible individuals following fungal inhalation. Most fungi are not pathogenic to man; however, certain fungi are capable of infecting immunocompetent individuals. Although mycotoxins and exposure to mycotoxins ("toxic mold syndrome") are implicated in causing numerous, nonspecific, systemic symptoms, currently, there is no scientific evidence to support the allegation that human health is affected by inhaled mycotoxins. However, if mold is discovered in a home, school, or office setting, the source should be investigated and appropriate remediation undertaken to minimize structural damage and potential allergic sensitization.
Author List
Nordness ME, Zacharisen MC, Fink JNMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Air MicrobiologyAlveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic
Antigens, Fungal
Food Microbiology
Humans
Mycoses
Mycotoxins