Molds in the homes of asthmatic patients in Isparta, Turkey.

ABSTRACT

This study was planned in order to determine the fungal spores in the air of inside the homes of asthmatic patients living in Isparta (from southwest region of Turkey). The seasonal properties of mold spores in the air of homes of 24 asthmatic and 14 control subjects living in the city of Isparta over a period of one year were investigated. Viable molds were recovered from all 38 houses. Twenty different molds were isolated and identified from the indoor air of the houses in which asthmatic patients and controls lived. The most common isolated genera were Penicillium spp. (27.9%), followed by Cladosporium spp. (26.3%), Aspergillus spp. (14.7%) and Alternaria spp. (13.1%) in the indoor air of the houses of asthmatic patients. No differences in colony numbers were observed between asthmatics and control groups. The percentage of molds was higher in kitchens than other parts of the houses such as living rooms and bedrooms (p < 0.05). A seasonal variety of the fungal flora in Isparta city region was observed. It is concluded that viable molds are common in houses in Isparta. Reducing indoor molds may improve the health of individuals with fungal-induced diseases like asthma.