Allergic Response to Fungal Exposure

Exposure to fungi represents a trigger factor mostly for respiratory and skin allergies. Despite the large number of allergenic sources known, fungi are virtually neglected and only recently have become prominent. Advances in molecular biology have allowed the identification of these allergens and enhanced our understanding of their role in allergic diseases.In this chapter we highlight the main characteristics of disorders that involve hypersensitivity to fungi, including allergic rhinitis, asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), sinusitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and atopic dermatitis. Although the impact of fungal exposure in these allergic disorders has been recognized, ABPA being the paradigm, the correlation between fungal exposure, even in sensitized individuals, and the arising of symptoms is not yet entirely clear.Improvements in the identification of fungal allergens ameliorate the diagnosis as well as the treatment of related diseases. However, the knowledge of the fungi and their consequences, mostly in allergic respiratory diseases, requires further investigation.