Nasal symptoms among residents in moldy housing.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether mold allergy mediated through immunoglobulin E (IgE) was responsible for the chronic nasal symptoms experienced by residents of moldy dwellings. A secondary aim was to investigate whether nasal mucosal findings were a possible reflection of other pathological mechanisms of chronic rhinitis.

Methods: Sixteen adults living in moldy housing and complaining of chronic rhinitis were compared with sixteen healthy referents without any known mold exposure.