The characteristics of indoor and outdoor fungi and their relation with allergic respiratory diseases in the southern region of Turkey

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment 2016-06, Vol.188 (6), p.380-380, Article 380
• Main Authors: Arikoglu, Tugba, Batmaz, Sehra Birgul, Coşkun, Taner, Otag, Feza, Yildirim, Didem Derici, Kuyucu, Semanur
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air conditioning; Air Microbiology - standards; Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis; Air sampling; Airborne microorganisms; Allergies; Aspergillus - growth & development; Aspergillus - immunology; Asthma; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Blattaria; Child; Cladosporium; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental monitoring; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Female; Fungi; Fungi - growth & development; Fungi - immunology; Houses; Housing - standards; Housing - statistics & numerical data; Housing conditions; Humans; Indoor environments; Male; Medical history; Mold; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Pediatrics; Penicillium - growth & development; Penicillium - immunology; Questionnaires; Respiratory diseases; Respiratory Hypersensitivity - epidemiology; Respiratory Hypersensitivity - immunology; Rhinitis; Sinusitis; Skin Tests; Turkey; Ventilation
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-016-5371-7

Indoor and outdoor fungal exposure has been shown to be associated with the development of allergic respiratory diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate the types and concentrations of airborne fungi inside and outside homes and evaluate the association between fungal levels and allergic diseases in the southern region of Turkey. A total of 61 children admitted with respiratory complaints to the pediatric allergy clinic between September 2007 and November 2008 were included in this study. The air samples were obtained using the Air IDEAL volumetric air sampler longitudinally for 1 year. A comprehensive questionnaire was used for medical history and housing conditions. Skin prick test was performed to determine fungal sensitivity and spirometric indices were employed. The predominant indoor fungal species were Cladosporium (69.3 %), Penicillium (18.9 %), Aspergillus (6.5 %), and Alternaria (3.1 %). A strong correlation between indoor and outdoor fungal levels was detected for the Cladosporium species ( p  176 CFU/m 3 ( p  = 0.003, AUC 0.696; sensitivity 65.5 %; specificity 68.7 %) and >327 CFU/m 3 ( p  = 0.038; AUC 0.713; sensitivity 66.6 %; specificity 76.9 %), respectively. Children with respiratory symptoms are exposed to a considerable level of fungi inside and outside their homes. The prevention of fungal exposure may provide valuable intervention for respiratory diseases.