Abstract

Fungal antigens are common aeroallergens that are relevant to asthma. These antigens have less commonly been implicated as the causative agents of occupational asthma. Fungi may be a contaminant of vegetable matter, such as cereal crops, in which Cladosporiurn and Alternaria species and
Didyrnella exitalis are common causes of asthma during harvest time. In addition, Alternaria and AspergiUus species have been identified as a cause
of baker's asthma. Altemaria, Penicilliurn, and Pullularia species may also contaminate wood bark and can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis in exposed
carpenters and papermill and sawmill workers.
Neurospora species have been described as causing ccupational asthma in one previous patient, a plywood factory worker. However, anamorphs (the asexual states) of Neurospora species, such as Chrysonilia sitophila, the common red bread mold, have not been previously reported as a cause of respiratory disease. The patient described here had occupational asthma as a likely result of repeated exposure to this mold while working in the logging
industry. Skin testing and RAST for specific IgE antibodies confirmed sensitization to C. sitophila, and a clinic skin test survey with an extract of this fungus indicated that it has distinct antigenicity
from the other most common outdoor fungal spores in this geographic region.

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