How environmental fungal exposure affects asthma, ABPA, and bronchiectasis

Effects of Environmental Fungal Exposure on Bronchial Asthma, Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA), and Bronchiectasis

This project will see if indoor and environmental fungal exposure is linked to disease control in adults with asthma, ABPA, or bronchiectasis and will compare findings to healthy adults.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 125 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University (network)
• Locations: 1 site (Ningbo, Zhejiang)
• Trial ID: NCT07313904 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a prospective observational study enrolling adults aged 18–80 with diagnosed bronchial asthma (subdivided by GINA control status), ABPA, bronchiectasis, and healthy control subjects. Investigators will record detailed baseline clinical information including disease history, smoking, prior attacks and hospitalizations, and long-term medications (including inhaled corticosteroids and antifungal drugs). Environmental and lifestyle factors that may influence fungal exposure and disease control—such as indoor humidity, temperature, ventilation, pet ownership, and plant keeping—will be measured and recorded. Patient status will be tracked using questionnaires, pulmonary function, and laboratory/allergen testing.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18–80 who either have a clinical diagnosis of asthma (any control level), ABPA, or bronchiectasis, or are healthy adults without respiratory disease who meet normal pulmonary function and laboratory criteria.

Not a fit: People with other chronic respiratory diseases (for example COPD, active pulmonary tuberculosis, lung cancer), current cancer, or those unable to attend the Ningbo site or provide reliable exposure/medication histories are unlikely to gain benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could identify modifiable environmental fungal exposures that worsen disease control and inform practical home interventions to reduce symptoms.

How similar studies have performed: Previous observational studies and clinical reports have linked fungal exposure to worse asthma and ABPA outcomes, so this work builds on existing evidence rather than testing a new treatment.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age range of 18-80 years old (including 18 and 80 years old), gender and race are not limited;
2. No history of asthma, ABPA, or other chronic respiratory diseases.
3. No history of allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis, eczema, or food allergies.
4. Pulmonary function is normal or close to the normal range.
5. Laboratory testing:

1\. Blood routine: High sensitivity C-reactive protein, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes are all within the normal range.

Allergen testing: IgE levels for common allergens such as dust mites, cat hair, dog hair, cockroaches, mold, and pollen are normal or close to the normal range.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Suffering from bronchial asthma ABPA、 Bronchiectasis or other respiratory diseases: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, active pulmonary tuberculosis, pulmonary embolism, lung cancer, pneumothorax, hemoptysis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, interstitial lung disease, etc;
2. Cancer patients who suffer from serious other systemic diseases, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, hypertensive crisis or refractory hypertension, severe arrhythmia, heart failure, aortic aneurysm, liver failure, renal failure, hematological disorders, etc., and have recently been discovered or are currently receiving treatment;
3. Four weeks prior to enrollment, systemic use of antibiotics, antifungal drugs, immunosuppressants, cytotoxic agents, hormones, etc;
4. Other individuals with contraindications for induced sputum testing:

Where this trial is running

Ningbo, Zhejiang

• The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Recruiting — Ningbo, Zhejiang, China (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Chao Cao

Conditions: Environmental Exposure, Asthma, Bronchiectasis, ABPA