Higher Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMIsm) values measured in Detroit homes of severely asthmatic children

Sieved vacuum bag dust from the homes of 143 children in Detroit was analyzed by mold specific quantitative PCR (MSQPCR) and the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMIsm) was calculated for each home. Children living in these homes were grouped as non-asthmatic (n = 83), moderately asthmatic (n = 28) and severely asthmatic (n = 32) based on prescription medication usage for their asthma management (none, occasional and daily, respectively). The mean ERMI for each group of homes was 6.2 for non-asthmatic, 6.3 for moderately asthmatic and 8.2 for severely asthmatic children. The ERMI values in the homes of severely asthmatic children were significantly greater compared to the non-asthmatics (p = 0.04 in Wilcoxon Rank-sum test). Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus unguis were the primary mold species that distinguished severely asthmatic children's homes and non-asthmatic children's homes (p < 0.05; Wilcoxon Rank-sum test). The determination of the home's ERMI values may aid in prioritizing home remediation efforts, particularly in those children who are at increased risk for asthma exacerbation.