Review of animal models for allergic fungal airway disease and asthma

This narrative review examines animal models used to study allergic fungal airway disease, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and asthma. The scope includes extract-based models, spore-based models using Aspergillus fumigatus or Alternaria alternata, models using clinical isolates, gene-edited fungal strains, and combined exposure systems such as cigarette smoke plus spores. The review does not report a sample size or specific follow-up duration.

The authors synthesize key findings regarding disease mimicry and relevance. Extract-based models highlighted epithelial alarm signaling and type 2 immunity. Spore-based models were found to more closely mimic human disease. Combined exposure systems improved relevance by linking fungal virulence and host factors to disease severity. The review addresses secondary outcomes including mixed eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation, airway hyperreactivity, mucus plugging, and disease severity.

The authors acknowledge a specific limitation regarding extract-based models, stating they do not reflect chronic infection. No adverse events or serious adverse events were reported because the study population consisted of animal models. The review does not provide absolute numbers, p-values, or confidence intervals. Practice relevance is framed as informing therapy, but the evidence is limited to preclinical models rather than human clinical trials.