New sensitization to Aspergillus fumigatus in adult asthma over a 10-year observation period

Background: Although the exposure and sensitization to respiratory (especially fungal) allergens, represent key factors characterizing the presentation of asthma, studies regarding the longitudinal changes in the sensitization profiles to respiratory allergens have so far been limited. Objective: To clarify the longitudinal changes in the sensitization profiles to respiratory allergens, especially in the sensitization to Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) allergens among patients with asthma. Methods: We studied patients with asthma who have been treated for ≥10 years in a tertiary hospital for allergic diseases. We measured IgE levels against panels of respiratory allergen components (by microarray) and crude extracts from five common fungal allergens from sera obtained ≥10 years ago (1991–2004, baseline), which were compared with those in recently sampled sera (2015–, follow-up). Results: We studied 139 serum samples pairs. The frequencies of patients positive for IgE to crude Af and recombinant Asp f 1 were significantly increased from 8.6% to 31%, and 0.7% to 13% respectively. Conclusion: Non-negligible percentages of patients were newly sensitized to Af allergens during observation periods of ≥10 years. This phenomenon should be better investigated considering its potential impact on the long-term management of asthma.