Environmental and Occupational Respiratory Disease – 1030: Role of fungi (molds) in allergic airway disease – an analysis in South Indian Otolaryngology Center

Methods A study was done on the data related to 570 patients who had visited the allergy clinic in the Otolaryngology Department from January 2000 to September 2009. Clinical history related to Allergy was taken and clinical examination was done. The investigations done included Total Serum IgE levels, Peripheral Oesinophil percentage, Skin tests & Fungal culture. Based on the clinical findings, patients were categorized into three groups viz.1. Allergic Rhinitis (AR), 2. Allergic Rhinitis with Asthma (ARA), 3. Allergic Fungal Sinusitis (AFS). Based on the skin tests, patients were classified into three groups viz. 1. Positive towards fungus, 2. Positive towards allergens other than fungus (HDM, pollen, insects, food, etc), 3. Positive towards other allergens and fungus. Based on the skin tests, individuals sensitized to specific type of fungi were identified.