LONDON – A new study out of the UK shows that anti-fungal drugs used to treat common skin infections may also improve the health of those with severe asthma.

Asthma is a disease of the airways, where inflammation and narrowing causes wheezing, coughing and other breathing-related problems. Asthma is a chronic condition that can also be life-threatening. It may affect as many as 300 million people worldwide.

Severe asthma is characterized by frequent attacks with moderate to severe symptoms, as well as regular use of high doses of inhaled steroids. Daily activities are significantly restricted when asthma is severe. Patients with severe asthma are also at the highest risk of life-threatening complications.

The British study followed 58 patients with both severe asthma and fungal allergies. The test subjects were either put on Itraconazole or a placebo for an 8 month period. Itraconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal drug, marketed as Sporanox by Janssen Pharmaceutical.

Test subjects were followed for several months after stopping either the placebo or anti-fungal. Researchers then compared the two test groups.

Almost 6 out of 10 test subjects on itraconazole showed significant improvement over the course of the research. Follow up of patients revealed that symptoms of asthma – including runny nose and sneezing – worsened again within 4 months of stopping the drug regimen.

The use of anti-fungal drugs is normally restricted to those patients with a specifically diagnosed fungal infection. Using anti-fungals with fungal allergy is a completely new approach.

The results of the study could be a very important discovery for those with severe, difficult-to-treat asthma. Allergies to molds and fungi are very common. As a result, as many as 25 to 50 per cent of patients with severe asthma may have an allergy to one or more fungi species, according to the British research team. Further, fungal spores in the air are a known irritant for both allergies and asthma. If a simple treatment with a low-cost drug can help to reduce asthma attacks and improve symptom control, this finding could benefit a large number of asthma sufferers.

Source: Reuters.com with additional reporting from Be Allergy Wise