Prevalence of hypersensitivity to specific fungal allergens as determined by intradermal dilutional testing

OBJECTIVE., To determine fungal allergen reactivity prevalence by intraderm al dilutional testing in patients with and without chronic rhinitis or rhin osinusitis symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective comparison of fungal allergen reactivity prevalen ce in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. SETTING: University medical center. METHODS: Group I (chronic rhinitis and/or rhinosinusitis symptoms) and Grou p II (asymptomatic) patients underwent intradermal dilutional testing with usual and fungal allergens. RESULTS: Fungal reactivity occurred in 65% (13/20) of Group 1, and 13% (4/3 0) of Group II (P < 0.0002 by chi (2) testing). Group I was more reactive t o non-fungal allergens (85% vs. 33%, p < 0.0004), and to all allergens cons idered together (95% vs. 40%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic rhinitis and rhinosinusitis symptoms wer e more reactive to fungal and nonfungal allergens. Fungal allergens were as likely as nonfungal to elicit reactivity. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings sug gest a role for fungal hypersensitivity in chronic rhinitis and chronic rhi nosinusitis.