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.