Allergic hypersensitivity to fungi.

Allergic reactions to the ubiquitous pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi are models for the study of hypersensitivity. Emphasis will be placed wherever possible in this paper on findings in man, in whom fungal hypersensitivity is widely prevalent. These findings throw light upon fungal antigens in relation to clinical manifestations and upon the nature and mechanism of allergic reactions. It is hoped that this outline will serve as a guide to some of the many problems requiring further study. A description of certain of the features of the three clearly defined types of allergic hypersensitivity will be given as a source of reference for the subsequent discussion.