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Fungal Allergy: from Asthma to Alveolitis *
Author(s) -
Fink Jordan N.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
indoor air
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.387
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 1600-0668
pISSN - 0905-6947
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0668.1998.tb00008.x
Subject(s) - bronchiectasis , allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis , immunology , medicine , immunoglobulin e , extrinsic allergic alveolitis , allergy , asthma , sinusitis , eosinophilic , hypersensitivity pneumonitis , sensitization , respiratory system , cystic fibrosis , lung , pathology , antibody
Sensitization and recurrent exposure to fungi may result in a variety of respiratory syndromes related to the allergic response of the host. Responses which are largely IgE in nature result in the typical allergic diseases of asthma and rhinitis. Fungal colonization of the sinuses may induce a disorder characterized by mucinous and eosinophilic secretions and elevated serum IgE levels known as allergic fungal sinusitis. Colonization of the airway by fungi may induce the inflammatory response of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis, with immunologic features similar to allergic fungal sinusitis, but with characteristic proximal bronchiectasis. Repeated inhalational exposure to fungi may also induce an allergic alveolitis characterized by delayed respiratory and systemic symptoms, a lymphocytic alveolitis and progression to fibrosis with repeated exposure. Immune mechanisms other than those related to IgE appear to be involved in this disease.