To evaluate the importance of sensitivity to molds in patients living in Caracas with persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR) and/or bronquial asthma (BA).

We evaluated 139 patients from the outpatient clinic of the Institute of Immunology, 6 to 55 years old, with PAR and/or BA, and positive questionnaire for molds exposures in their houses. A panel of inhalants and molds skin tests (Prick) were performed to all patients. Total serum IgE was measured and specific IgE to indoor molds was evaluated by RAST, basophil histamine release test (BHRT) and basophil activation test (BAT) in 10 patients with positive mold skin test.

Thirty two patients were positive to at least one mold antigen (Prick), being the most frequents: Candida, Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Neurospora and Alternaria. The presence of damping was the most common inciting factor found in the questionnaire (p<0.0001). The group of patients aged 11 to 20 years old had the highest incidence of molds sensitivity (43.75%). All patients showed elevated total IgE levels (‘X=719.61 UI/ml). By RAST, most of the patients were positive for Alternaria (70%) and Neurospora (50%) with no significant correlation to Prick. To explore BHRT and BAT we used Aspergillus, Neurospora and Alternaria as antigens. Significant correlations between RAST and BAT (r=0.9063; p=0.0003), BHRT and BAT (r=0.9407; p=0.0016) and RAST and BHRT (r=0.96; p=0.01) were found only for Alternaria.

We suggest that in fungi mediated respiratory allergies, a careful questionnaire is critical. In addition, several IgE specific test should be performed for definitive diagnosis and establishment of therapeutics measures.