Environmental fungal sensitisation associates with poorer clinical outcomes in COPD.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Allergic sensitisation to fungi such as Aspergillus are associated to poor clinical outcomes in asthma, bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis; however, clinical relevance in COPD remains unclear.

Methods

Patients with stable COPD (n=446) and nondiseased controls (n=51) were prospectively recruited across three countries (Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong) and screened against a comprehensive allergen panel including house dust mites, pollens, cockroach and fungi. For the first time, using a metagenomics approach, we assessed outdoor and indoor environmental allergen exposure in COPD. We identified key fungi in outdoor air and developed specific-IgE assays against the top culturable fungi, linking sensitisation responses to COPD outcomes. Indoor air and surfa

SUBMITTER: Tiew PY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7453645 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature