Importance of type I hypersensitivity to molds in autumnal respiratory allergies

The authors examined by means of skin tests for moulds 108 patients with the diagnosis of pollen rhinitis and/or pollen bronchial asthma. All had maximum complaints at the end of summer and in autumn and were formerly hyposensitized only by pollen allergens. Sensitization to fungi and its polyvalent character was significantly greater in subjects unsuccessfully treated by pollen hyposensitization, as moulds acted obviously as an important allergen. The authors found a low sensitivity and specificity of USOL screening preparations "Outdoor moulds" (76% and 81%) and "Indoor moulds" (74% and 93%).