Domestic researchers have announced the results of a study showing that mold toxins among indoor air pollutants worsen atopic dermatitis symptoms in pet dogs.
The National Research Foundation of Korea noted on the 26th that a research team led by Professor Kim Ha-jung from Jeonnam National University's College of Veterinary Medicine has identified that mold toxins among indoor air pollutants adversely affect not only humans but also the atopic dermatitis of pets. This study was published online in the medical journal 'Allergy' on the 7th.
As westernized living styles have become common, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis due to indoor air pollution has been increasing globally. Accordingly, atopic dermatitis in pets, which share living spaces with people, is also on the rise. Although various treatments for atopic dermatitis in pets have been developed, the effectiveness of treating this chronic condition remains limited, and the burden of treatment costs is also increasing.
The research team previously confirmed in 2022 that increased levels of indoor fine dust tend to worsen atopic dermatitis symptoms in pet dogs. They also discovered a correlation between indoor fine dust levels and the presence of visible mold on indoor walls.
In this study, the research team investigated the indoor environment of pet dogs visiting Jeonnam National University's veterinary hospital for atopic dermatitis, along with a healthy control group. They analyzed clinical symptoms related to skin conditions, as well as biomarker analysis for allergic inflammation in the blood. They measured the air quality in areas where the pet dogs frequently stayed and collected indoor dust to measure the concentration of mold toxins in the dust.
The analysis revealed that the concentration of mold toxins in dust was higher in the group with atopic dermatitis compared to the healthy group. Additionally, a tendency for atopic symptoms to worsen was confirmed as the concentration of indoor mold toxins increased.
Professor Kim Ha-jung said, 'While many reports have linked various harmful substances in residential environments to allergic diseases in humans, such evidence has been lacking in pets.' She added, 'This study provides evidence of the relationship between mold toxins, an indoor air pollutant, and atopic dermatitis in pet dogs, and we expect that continuous research will present new preventive methods for atopic dermatitis in pets.'
Reference material
Allergy (2024), DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/all.16407