Study Links Nasal Fungi to Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

Researchers find distinct fungal communities in the noses of allergy and asthma patients, hinting at potential disease mechanisms.

A study involving 214 participants reveals that people with allergic rhinitis and asthma have more diverse and distinct nasal fungal communities compared to healthy controls.
The research identified 14 dominant fungal genera, with significant differences in seven to ten of these between patients and healthy individuals.
Patients with both allergic rhinitis and asthma displayed a more interconnected and diverse fungal network than those with only one condition or healthy participants.
Key metabolic pathways related to DNA and RNA building blocks were more abundant in the nasal fungi of allergy and asthma patients, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
The findings raise questions about the role of nasal fungi in airway inflammation and the relationship between rhinitis and asthma as distinct or unified conditions.