Key
Milestone In Antifungal Treatment For Severe AsthmaUniversity of Manchester researchers recently announced
that they have reached a key milestone in their study of the antifungal
treatment of asthma. It is hoped that the study, by clinical researchers
based at Manchester's Wythenshawe Hospital, will reduce the need
for steroid use as an asthma treatment and also cut down on serious
asthma attacks requiring hospital intervention. The study may also
help provide treatment information to those suffering from cystic
fibrosis and chronic sinusitis.
Asthma In The United Kingdom
Severe asthma in adults affects 10 - 20% of the UK's 5 million
asthmatics, and skin tests indicate that up to 70% of these
asthma sufferers are allergic to one or more common fungi in
the air.
Previous studies have
shown the benefits of one antifungal drug [itraconazole or
Sporonoxâ] for the asthma subgroup known
as “allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis” or “ABPA”.
The University of Manchester researchers are studying the more
common association between fungal allergy and those with severe
asthma who do not have ABPA. During research, volunteers are
screened and, if testing shows allergy to one or more fungi,
allocated the antifungal drug itraconazole capsules or matching
dummy capsules for 8 months. So far 26 patients (25% of the total
required ) have been enrolled.
Fungi Allergy Affects Asthma Sufferers
Allergy to fungi is relatively common, affecting asthmatics,
those with cystic fibrosis and others with chronic sinusitis
(usually with nasal polyps). Fungi commonly involved include
airborne molds, such as Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Alternaria
and Penicillium, with airborne fungal spores outnumbering pollen
grains in outside air almost 1000-fold. Inside the home fungi
are also very common, particularly in bedrooms and cellars,
and compost is particularly rich in fungi.
The clinical study
is funded by the charity The Moulton Trust as a grant to the
University of Manchester. Its lead investigator
Dr Robert Niven, of the North West Lung Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital,
said: “We have few options for patients with severe asthma
other than prescribing more steroids, and those we do have can
have side effects worse than steroids themselves. Antifungal
treatment for those sensitized to fungi may be a useful additional
strategy to improve the breathing and overall health of these
patients. Certainly our limited treatment experience with itraconazole
suggests fewer admissions to hospital for asthma and reduced
numbers of steroid courses.”
Four centers
are currently enrolling patients: The North West Lung Centre,
Wythenshawe Hospital, Hope Hospital ( Ronan O'Driscoll
); North Manchester General Hospital ( Dr J Miles ) and Preston
Hospital ( Dr A Vyas ). The study is expected to conclude in
2006 when the results will be analyzed.
The importance of fungi to health was highlighted at a conference
in London on June 15th 2005 hosted by the Fungal Research Trust,
a UK Charity devoted to education and research into fungal disease.
Source: AlphaGalileo
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