3. Investigating the relation between clinical and
exposure data through an exposome approach requires high-power
statistical analysis and multiple comparisons.
Special computational and statistical software and skills are needed,
such as environment-wise association studies, trajectory analyses and
artificial intelligence.
Conclusion and perspectives
The vast and largely uncharted field of the fungal exposome calls for a
multidisciplinary approach including environmental science, allergology,
immunology, mycology, pulmonary medicine, epidemiology, and
biostatistics. The unmet needs in the domain of fungal exposome health
effects and personalized medicine should be addressed with three
concurrent front lines:
- thorough clinical and exposure characterization aiming at the
identification of further pathophysiologically relevant species and
molecules and a better understanding of their interaction with the
host’s immune responses
- innovative biomarker assays allowing the personalized profiling of
immune responses to fungal species and molecules
- advanced statistical analyses and epidemiological interpretation able
to predict the health effects of ongoing fungal exposure and
climate-related changes in the fungal exposome
The results of this research would improve our understanding of the
health effect of the fungal exposome, paving the way for improved
diagnostic and therapeutic management of allergic and hypersensitivity
reactions to fungi in the context of the current climate change and
global need for sustainable housing.