Study Links Various Fungi to Allergy-Induced Sniffles and Asthma

New Delhi: A recent study has uncovered significant differences in nasal fungal colonies, or mycobiomes, in individuals suffering from allergy-induced sniffles and asthma. Conducted by researchers at the University of Porto, Portugal, the findings suggest these fungal communities could play a role in allergic rhinitis and its frequent comorbidity, asthma.

Allergic rhinitis, a common respiratory condition, manifests as sneezing, nasal itching, inflammation, and congestion. It is often accompanied by asthma, which involves airway inflammation and obstruction. Dr. Luís Delgado, the study’s lead author, stated to IANS, "We found that samples from individuals with allergic rhinitis exhibited greater fungal diversity and a distinct fungal community structure compared to healthy controls."

To investigate these fungal communities, the researchers analyzed nasal swabs from 214 participants, including children and young adults attending an immunology and asthma clinic. Of these, 155 participants had both allergic rhinitis and asthma, 47 had only allergic rhinitis, and 12 had asthma. An additional 125 healthy individuals served as controls.

Using DNA sequencing, the team examined 306 nasal samples, identifying two dominant fungal families—Ascomycota and Basidiomycota—across all participants. Within these families, 14 genera were particularly prominent. "These dominant genera included fungi known to be allergenic or opportunistic pathogens in humans," noted Dr. Delgado, emphasizing the nasal cavity’s role as a reservoir for fungi potentially involved in respiratory diseases.

The study revealed a statistically significant difference in fungal diversity and composition between those with respiratory conditions and healthy controls. Notably, individuals with both allergic rhinitis and asthma exhibited stronger connections between fungal communities compared to those with allergic rhinitis alone or healthy participants. The researchers hypothesize that these fungi may influence the immune environment within the nasal cavity, potentially exacerbating respiratory conditions.

Published in Frontiers in Microbiology, the findings highlight the importance of understanding the role of nasal fungi in respiratory health. "This suggests allergic rhinitis not only increases fungal diversity but also alters the microbiome composition in the upper airways," Dr. Delgado explained.

The research sheds light on the complex relationship between fungal communities and respiratory diseases, paving the way for future studies to explore therapeutic strategies targeting the nasal mycobiome to alleviate symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma.