Fungal exposure in homes of patients with sarcoidosis - an environmental exposur

[Guest guest]

Fungal exposure in homes of patients with sarcoidosis - an environmental

exposure study

http://7thspace.com/headlines/370278/fungal_exposure_in_homes_of_patients_with_s\

arcoidosis___an_environmental_exposure_study.html

There is increasing evidence that exposure to moulds (fungi) may influence the

development of sarcoidosis. To assess the influence of the environmental

exposure, a study was undertaken to determine the exposure to fungi in homes of

subjects with sarcoidosis.

Methods: Subjects were patients with clinically established sarcoidosis

recruited during the period September 2007 till June 2010.

Of these 55 were newly diagnosed and currently under treatment for less than one

year, 25 had been treated and had no recurrence and 27 had been treated but had

recurrence of the disease. Controls were healthy subjects without any

respiratory symptoms (n=30).

Samples of air (about 2.5 m3) were taken in the bedroom of the subjects using a

portable pump and cellulose ester filters. The filters were analysed for the

content of the enzyme N-acetylhexosaminidase (NAHA) as a marker of fungal cell

biomass, using a specific substrate and a fluorescent technique and expressed as

NAHA units (U) /m3.

Results: Compared to controls, subjects undergoing treatment of the disease

(newly diagnosed or with recurrence) had significantly higher activities of NAHA

in their homes than controls (33.6 and 39.9 vs 10.0 U/m3, p<0.001 and <0.001).

Among controls only 5 out of 30 subjects had levels of NAHA above the second

quartile value (14 U/m3). In homes of subjects with newly diagnosed disease with

treatment less than one year, values above 14 NAHA U/m3 were found among 35 out

of 55 and among those with recurrent disease among 18 out of 27.

Conclusions: The higher activities of NAHA enzyme found in homes of subjects

with active and recurrent sarcoidosis suggest that exposure to fungi is related

to the risk of sarcoidosis.

Further environmental studies to assess the importance of this exposure for

subjects with sarcoidosis are warranted. The results suggest that remedial

actions in homes with high levels of fungi may be justified.

Author: Marjeta TerceljBarbara SalobirMatevz HarlanderRagnar Rylander

Credits/Source: Environmental Health 2011, 10:8