Mold and human health: separating the wheat from the chaff

Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2010 Apr;38(2-3):148-55. doi: 10.1007/s12016-009-8175-5.

Abstract

The term "mold" is utilized to define the ubiquitous fungal species commonly found in household dust and observed as visible multicellular filaments. Several well-defined human diseases are known to be caused or exacerbated by mold or by exposure to their byproducts. Among these, a solid connection has been established with infections, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and asthma. In the past decades, other less-defined and generally false conditions have also been ascribed to mold. We will herein review and critically discuss the available evidence on the influence of mold on human health.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Fungi / immunology*
  • Fungi / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Hypersensitivity / microbiology*
  • Mycoses*