It is hoped that the study, by clinical researchers based at Manchester's Wythenshawe Hospital, will reduce steroid use and serious attacks requiring hospital intervention for asthma sufferers. It could also help those with cystic fibrosis and chronic sinusitis.

Severe asthma in adults affects 10 - 20% of the UK's 5m asthmatics, and skin tests indicate that up to 70% of these sufferers are allergic to one or more common fungi in the air.

Previous studies have shown the benefits of one antifungal drug [itraconazole or Sporonox] 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. Volunteers are screened and, if testing shows allergy to one or more fungi, allocated itraconazole capsules or matching dummy capsules for 8 months. So far 26 patients (25% of the total required) have been enrolled.

Allergy to fungi is relatively common, affecting asthmatics, those with cystic fibrosis and others with chronic sinusitis (usually with nasal polyps). Fungi commonly implicated 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 w
'"/>

Contact: Jo Nightingale
jo.nightingale@manchester.ac.uk
44-161-275-5301
University of Manchester
15-Jun-2005