Acrostalagmus Luteoalbus, a Rare Allergenic, Toxigenic, Non-Pathogenic Fungus, Found in Indoor Air, Dust and Building Materials in a Public Building in Finland

This study is a continuation of earlier studies where the rare toxigenic fungus Acrostalagmus luteoalbus was found colonising moist building materials in a problematic public building. This study describes allergenic potential of A. luteoalbus: The employees of the problematic building exhibited significantly elevated serum IgE and IgA levels for A. luteoalbus (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively) when compared to the control individuals inhabiting a non-problematic building in the same area. A. luteoalbus and Acrostalagmus sp. strains were found in the moist outer wall, in settled indoor dusts and in indoor air of the building. The results indicated possible migration of A. luteoalbus antigens, metabolites and conidia from the outer wall into indoor spaces, possibly exposing the employees in the problematic building.