The role of Penicillium frequentans in suberosis (Respiratory disease in workers in the cork industry)

Summary The widespread occurrence of spores of Penicillium frequentans in the air of a Portuguese cork factory was associated with the presence of precipilins against it in 3%, of exposed workers and a high incidence of radiological and functional changes in their lungs. Patients with suberosis gave positive reactions in skin tests with extracts of the fungus, and their inhalation as aerosols provoked characteristic symptoms. Cork particles were less numerous in the air and larger than P. frequenyansn spores, hut numbers were correlated with the incidence of precipilins in workers and it is suggested that they may have a role in sensitization and the pathology of the disease. However, P. frequentans seems to be the source of antigens in suherosis and accounts for the antigenicity of mouldy cork.