Update on the Role of Fungus in Allergy, Asthma, and the Unified Airway

Brian H Cameron; Shaina W Gong; David B Corry; Amber U Luong

doi:10.1016/j.otc.2023.09.005

Update on the Role of Fungus in Allergy, Asthma, and the Unified Airway

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2024 Apr;57(2):279-292. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2023.09.005. Epub 2023 Oct 20.

Authors

Brian H Cameron¹, Shaina W Gong¹, David B Corry², Amber U Luong³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center, 6431 Fannin Street, MSB 5.036, Houston, TX, USA.
² Department of Medicine, Biology of Inflammation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, 77030 TX, USA.
³ Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center, 6431 Fannin Street, MSB 5.036, Houston, TX, USA; Center for Immunology and Autoimmune Diseases, Institute of Molecular Medicine, 1835 Pressler, Houston, TX, 77030 USA. Electronic address: amber.u.luong@uth.tmc.edu.

PMID: 37867110
DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2023.09.005

Abstract

The united airway refers to the combined upper and lower airways and their interconnected pathophysiologic relationships. Inflammatory airway diseases (chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma, and so forth) have been linked to fungal species through type 2 immune responses. These type 2 immune responses involve the cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and a myriad of other inflammatory processes that lead to a spectrum of diseases from allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis to chronic rhinosinusitis. Historically, these diseases have been managed primarily with corticosteroids but recent revelations in the molecular pathophysiology provide opportunities for more diverse treatment options for patients with uncontrolled disease.

Keywords: Airway mycosis; Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis; Asthma; Fungi; Rhinosinusitis.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Asthma*
Chronic Disease
Fungi
Humans
Hypersensitivity*
Respiratory System
Sinusitis*