Penicillium glabrum
Summary
Penicillium glabrum is a saprophyte fungus part of the Penicillium genus, one of the four most common fungal causes of allergy in humans. P. glabrum is associated with suberosis, an occupational hypersensitivity associated with cork production. It is also a mold commonly found in homes. Although no P. glabrum specific allergen is recognized, two protein components of 12–13.5 kDa and 33 kDa are significant in the pathogenesis of suberosis.
Epidemiology
Worldwide distribution
A study from the USA found that 8.2% of a cohort comprising of children with asthma were sensitized to Penicillium spp. Elsewhere, sensitization to a Penicillium allergen, Pen Ch, was relatively low amongst patients with atopic dermatitis. Another study found that 100% (n=16) of workers with a history of occupational exposure to cork and who had either HP or asthma were sensitized to P. glabrum specific allergens. However, the immunological response reported was a specific IgG response, with no IgE response found. In Portugal, it is estimated that 9-19% of cork workers may develop suberosis.
Route Of Exposure
Main
Exposure and sensitization to P. glabrum allergens are most commonly achieved by inhaling fungal fragments.
Clinical Relevance
Penicillium spp. are considered by the institute of medicine to be causative agents of allergic rhinitis in children and adults, as well as asthma children and occupational asthma in adults.
In contrast to other allergenic molds, a study in the USA found that increased prevalence of Penicillium correlated with increased risk of clinically apparent hypersensitivity (incident wheeze and persistent cough). Children who were both sensitized to Penicillium spp. and who lived in a household where Penicillium spp. were detected, even at low levels, were twice as likely to experience a higher asthma severity score than the cohort who were either not sensitized or exposed. This contrasts with data for another fungal genus, Cladosporium, which showed sensitivity and exposure status were not associated with clinical outcomes.
HP is a lung disease characterized by lymphocytic – histiocytic inflammation of the alveoli, bronchioles and pulmonary interstitium, mainly through inhalation of organic substances. HP is probably underdiagnosed. Suberosis, of which P. glabrum is the primary causative agent, is a form of HP associated with repeated exposure to moldy cork dust in workplaces where this material is used in industrial processing.
Cross-Reactivity
Mono-sensitization to P. glabrum is unlikely as the Penicillium specific allergens described are characteristically cross-reactive.
References
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