People who are exposed to mold in their homes could be at an increased risk for sarcoidosis, a chronic inflammatory lung disease.
Characterized by the development and growth of tiny clumps of inflammatory cells in different areas of your body — most commonly the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes and skin, sarcoidosis is thought to result from an abnormal immune response by the body. Some evidence suggests that adverse inhalants present in the air may be responsible. Researchers from Sweden and Slovenia tested 62 nonsmoking patients with sarcoidosis, 34 of whom had extrapulmonary manifestations (EPM). Patients were tested for beta-glucan, an immune-modulating agent found in fungi, and accompanying inflammatory biomarkers, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-12. Serum samples were also obtained from 18 control subjects with no pulmonary disease or respiratory symptoms. Results showed that levels of IL-6 and IL-12 were higher among subjects with sarcoidosis as compared with controls, and IL-12 was significantly higher among subjects with EPM. There also was a significant relation between beta -glucan and mold/fungi levels in the home. The investigators conclude that the results further support the hypothesis that exposure to fungi is an important risk factor for sarcoidosis.
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Reported at CHEST 2012, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, 22 October 2012.