Asthma and fungi in the home.

During a nine month survey we collected viable fungal spores in the homes of 35 asthmatic patients living in Wellington. The five most prevalent fungal types were Aspergillus, Basidiomycetes, Cladosporium, Penicillium and Alternaria. We noted some regional and seasonal differences in the recovery of fungi. In about one-third of the patients there was a relationship between symptoms of asthma or peak expiratory flow rate and the presence of particular fungal types especially Aspergillus. These patients were not identified by positive skin prick tests with commercial fungal extracts.