Abstract
Objective. To report on changes in sensitivity to mold allergens determined by changes in intradermal skin testing reactivity, after exposure to two severe hurricanes. Methods. A random, retrospective allergy charts review divided into 2 groups of 100 patients each: Group A, patients tested between 2003 and 2010 prior to hurricanes, and Group B, patients tested in 2014 and 2015 following hurricanes. Reactivity to eighteen molds was determined by intradermal skin testing. Test results, age, and respiratory symptoms were recorded. Chi-square test determined reactivity/sensitivity differences between groups. Results. Posthurricane patients had 34.6 times more positive results (p < 0.0001) at weaker dilutions, all tested molds were found to be more reactive, and 95% had at least one positive test versus only 62% before the hurricanes (p < 0.0001); average mold reactivity was 55% versus 16% while 17% of patients reacted to the entire panel versus none before the hurricanes (p < 0.0001). The posthurricane population was younger (p < 0.001) and included more patients with asthma or lower respiratory symptoms (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Reactivity and sensitization to mold allergens increased compared to patients before the hurricanes. This supports climatologists' hypothesis that environmental changes resulting from hurricanes can be a health risk as reflected in increased allergic sensitivities and symptoms and has significant implications for physicians treating patients from affected areas.
Highlights
Northern New Jersey was affected by two catastrophic storms: Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012
Inclusion criteria were patients of any sex or age, with symptoms of allergic rhinitis with or without asthma, or lower respiratory symptoms (LRS), provided that these patients were tested for the same panel of 18 molds
No positive test results occurred at Dilution 6 in Group A yet this occurred 5 times in Group B (Table 2)
Summary
Northern New Jersey was affected by two catastrophic storms: Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The storms covered an extensive area leading to widespread destruction [1] with severe damage including loss of life [2]. Following these storms wide areas of the state remained underwater for several days. It has been clearly established that people exposed to mold after floods like the ones resulting from hurricanes frequently develop allergy symptoms and asthma [3,4,5]. Flooding following a hurricane is a key factor for mold growth and may be an important risk for exposed individuals [3]
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