Sensitization to airborne molds may be a risk factor for severe asthma and direct cause of asthma exacerbation (AE). A prospective, 1-year (April 2016–March 2017) study, done in Kuwait Allergy Centre, investigated the link between AEs with exposure to outdoor molds and the role of meteorological parameters in mold sensitized patients and compared with non-allergic asthma patients who had asthma deterioration. The total of 676 adult asthmatics with moderate-severe AEs were included and divided into atopic (85.65%) and non-atopic group. Atopy was defined by positive skin prick test (SPT) to at least one inhalant allergen. Data regarding atopy and asthma severity were collected from patient’s records. Patients with symptoms and signs of acute respiratory infection and patient sensitized to indoor allergens only were excluded. Daily count of local pollens (Salsola kali, Bermuda grass) and molds (Aspergillus, Alternaria and Cladosporium) were obtained from the Aerobiology department. Daily metrological parameters (atmospheric pressure-AP, temperature-T and relative humidity-RH) were provided by Kuwait Environment Public Authority. Count of spores/m3 and weather variable are shown on weekly basis. The year circle was divided into 4 Seasons (1, 2, 3, 4) accordingly to typical desert climate. Sensitization to molds was relatively high but significantly less (25.0%) if compared to the pollens sensitization. The highest number of AEs was in season 4 for both molds and pollens sensitized patients. Seasonal patterns for both allergens were significant and positively correlated with RH and AP. In season 1 only, mold sensitized patients showed higher rate of AEs. Non-atopic patients have been less sensitive to increased RH than atopic. Negative correlation with T was similar in both atopic and non-atopic patients. Despite of high rate of sensitization to molds, their significant role in triggering AE was not found in desert environment. Typical desert climate and high allergencity of local weeds outweigh the influence of the molds.

中文翻译：

---

霉菌和计量参数与严重哮喘发作频率的关联

对空气中的霉菌过敏可能是严重哮喘的危险因素和哮喘恶化 (AE) 的直接原因。在科威特过敏中心进行的一项为期 1 年（2016 年 4 月至 2017 年 3 月）的前瞻性研究调查了 AE 与暴露于室外霉菌和气象参数在霉菌过敏患者中的作用之间的联系，并与非过敏性哮喘患者进行了比较。有哮喘恶化。共纳入 676 名中重度 AE 成人哮喘患者，分为特应性（85.65%）和非特应性组。通过对至少一种吸入性过敏原的阳性皮肤点刺试验 (SPT) 定义特应性。从患者记录中收集有关特应性和哮喘严重程度的数据。排除有急性呼吸道感染症状和体征的患者以及仅对室内过敏原敏感的患者。当地花粉（猪毛菜、百慕大草）和霉菌（曲霉、链格孢属和枝孢属）的每日计数来自空气生物学部门。每日计量参数（大气压力-AP、温度-T 和相对湿度-RH）由科威特环境公共管理局提供。每周显示孢子数/m3 和天气变量。根据典型的沙漠气候，将一年分为4个季节（1、2、3、4）。与花粉致敏相比，对霉菌的致敏相对较高，但显着低于 (25.0%)。霉菌和花粉致敏患者的 AE 数量最多的是第 4 季。两种过敏原的季节性模式均显着且与 RH 和 AP 呈正相关。仅在第 1 季，霉菌致敏患者的 AE 发生率较高。非特应性患者对 RH 升高的敏感性低于特应性患者。在特应性和非特应性患者中，与 T 的负相关性相似。尽管对霉菌的致敏率很高，但在沙漠环境中没有发现它们在引发 AE 中的重要作用。典型的沙漠气候和当地杂草的高过敏性超过了霉菌的影响。