Fungal sensitization of patients with asthma in St. Petersburg

Background. Fungal sensitization is associated with severe uncontrolled asthma. Connections of specific, micromycetes and fungal allergens with disease development and immunopathogenesis of asthma with fungal sensitization are not well understood. Methods. The study included 120 patients with different grades of asthma severity. Results. Fungal sensitization was detected in 48 patients with asthma (40%). Severe course of asthma with fungal sensitization was identified in 7 patients (14,6%). The main fungal allergens in patients with severe asthma were Alternaria spp. and Aspergillus spp., in patients with mild and moderate course of disease - Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. Increasing of serum total IgE and enhancing the ability of blood cells to produce IL2 and IFN-y in patients with bronchial asthma with fungal sensitization were revealed. The obtained results indicated the important role of Th1 along with Th2 cells in the development of immunopathological process in asthma patients withfungal sensitization. Conclusion. Further research is necessary for determination of clinical and immunological criteria of severe asthma with fungal sensitization and study of the effectiveness of antimycotic therapy.