Prevalence of hypersensitivity to specific fungal allergens as determined by intradermal dilutional testing.

Abstract

To determine fungal allergen reactivity prevalence by intradermal dilutional testing in patients with and without chronic rhinitis or rhinosinusitis symptoms. Prospective comparison of fungal allergen reactivity prevalence in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. University medical center. Group I (chronic rhinitis and/or rhinosinusitis symptoms) and Group II (asymptomatic) patients underwent intradermal dilutional testing with usual and fungal allergens. Fungal reactivity occurred in 65% (13/20) of Group I, and 13% (4/30) of Group II (P < 0.0002 by chi(2) testing). Group I was more reactive to non-fungal allergens (85% vs. 33%, p < 0.0004), and to all allergens considered together (95% vs. 40%, p < 0.0001). Patients with chronic rhinitis and rhinosinusitis symptoms were more reactive to fungal and nonfungal allergens. Fungal allergens were as likely as nonfungal to elicit reactivity. These findings suggest a role for fungal hypersensitivity in chronic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis.