Sensitization to Saprophytic Fungi in a Case of Eczema

In a communication now in press we have described a case of asthma due to a saprophytic fungus. This patient's attacks occurred in damp houses or other places where molds and similar fungi flourish. On testing his skin for its reaction to extracts of fungi isolated from places where he had had severe attacks, we found a consistently positive reaction to a species of Altenaria (mali?). His serum also gave a positive Kustner-Prausnitz reaction to Altenaria in the skin of 3 out of 4 individuals. Inhalation of a spray of extract of this fungus produced characteristic paroxysms of asthma. Other saprophytes produced milder reactions. We concluded that his spontaneous attacks were caused by the spores of these fungi which abound in the air.This patient also has a chronic eczema involving the hands and feet and to a lesser extent the forearms and legs. The lesions begin as groups of minute papules and vesicles on red patches of skin. The areas slowly enlarge and become infiltrated and desquamating. Their appearan...