Fungal allergy - fungal ecology in dwelling environments

Abstract

Fungi related to allergies are commonly found in dwelling environments. The predominant fungi Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Wallemia and Rhodotorula live mainly in indoor air, house dust (HD), futons, clothes and contaminated building materials. Fungi in HD are especially important allergens. The fungal CFU and predominant fungi in HD are 10(4) - 10(6)/g and are composed of xerophilic or osmophilic species Aspergillus restrictus, Wallemia and Eurotium but not many yeasts and actinomycetes. Fungal contamination of materials is a serious human health problem because the fungal cells scatter from the materials in the air or HD. The biological activities by fungi also have health implications from the viewpoint of fungal allergens. In this paper, fungal germination, enzyme activities, contaminating cell form and viable or nonviable cells are also discussed.