Fungus Allergens Inside and Outside the Residences of Atopic and Control Children

Abstract

Airborne fungi were collected during the peak fungus season, using the N6 Andersen sampler inside and outside the homes of 46 asthmatic children, 20 atopic children, and 26 nonatopic control children in the Taipei area. The geometric mean fungus concentrations of the asthmatic, atopic, and control groups were found to be 565, 411, and 608 colony-forming units (CFU) per m³ in the living rooms; 659, 464, and 602 CFU m³ in the bedrooms; and 547, 449, and 668 CFU m³ outdoors; respectively. Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium were observed to be the most common microfungi, both indoors and outdoors. High correlations between indoor fungus levels (living rooms or bedrooms) and the corresponding outdoor levels were observed for these predominant genera. With regard to the Aspergillus species composition, A. flavus and A. niger were observed to be predominant and are, therefore, recommended to be included on a skin test panel. Moreover, among these three groups, there were statistically significant concentration differences for Cladosporium and Penicillium.