Researchers in New York and Utah

October 9, 2004

Fungus Among Us

Oct. 8, 2004

Ed Yeates Reporting

Chances are, you or someone you know has an allergy you can't figure

out. Researchers in New York and Utah may have solved the mystery.

Fungus.

While perhaps not as pervasive here in our desert climate as in

wetter areas, this fungus is still among us, all over the place.

Spores from fungus in a house damaged by water or outdoors in

decaying plants certainly might cause a sneeze or two. But now, this

study at the Mayo Clinic is leading researchers down a different

fungal path - one that may make the nose sneeze and sniffle,

chronically, all the time.

Gerald Gleich, M.D., University of Utah School of Medicine: " The

data suggests that chronic fungal colonization, not infection, may

drive an immune response that goes on and on and on. "

Dr. Gerald Gleich and his colleagues at the University of Utah want

to follow up on the Mayo studies with more research in our desert

climate.

Gerald Gleich, M.D.: " The particular fungus we're referring to here

is called alternaria, and it's virtually ubiquitous throughout the

United States, throughout the world. "

On plants, on pieces of wood, in damp areas of our house - floating

about in the air - this fungus, more or less, is always with us.

Researchers now believe this fungus may be the major villain for

people with over-reactive immune systems who end up with chronic

rhinosinusitis. Dr. Gleich says the spores don't invade tissue, but

simply stimulate the reaction.

Gerald Gleich, M.D.: " It doesn't actually invade the tissues, rather

the tissues appear to be stimulated. Stimulate an immune reaction

with associated inflammation. That appears to be the mechanism of

how this goes on. "

If the research proves out, anti-fungal sprays might be able to

reduce the severity of the symptoms. Getting rid of the spores may

be a more difficult task.

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