First finding of Ostreopsis cf. ovata toxins in marine aerosols.

Since the late 1990s, a respiratory syndrome has been repetitively observed in humans concomitant with Ostreopsis spp. blooms (mainly O. cf. ovata) in the Mediterranean area. Previous studies have demonstrated that O. cf. ovata produces analogues of palytoxin (ovatoxins and a putative palytoxin), one of the most potent marine toxins. On the basis of the observed association between O. cf. ovata blooms, respiratory illness in people, and detection of palytoxin complex in algal samples, toxic aerosols, containing Ostreopsis cells and/or the toxins they produce, were postulated to be the cause of human illness. A small scale monitoring study of marine aerosol carried out along the Tuscan coasts (Italy) in 2009 and 2010 is reported. Aerosols were collected concomitantly with O. cf. ovata blooms, and they were analyzed by both PCR assays and LC-HRMS. The results, besides confirming the presence of O. cf. ovata cells, demonstrated for the first time the occurrence of ovatoxins in the aerosol at levels of 2.4 pg of ovatoxins per liter of air. Given the lack of toxicological data on palytoxins by inhalation exposure, our results are only a first step toward a more comprehensive understanding of the Ostreopsis-related respiratory syndrome.

Vitamin D, allergies and asthma: focus on pediatric patients.

In recent years, the interest of the scientific world towards vitamin D gradually increased, and several studies have been conducted to dissect its possible role in modulating the development/course of allergic diseases. Also, Vitamin D supplementation has been assessed as a beneficial approach for treating allergies in some, but not all studies. We reviewed herein the available and relevant literature concerning the possible links between Vitamin D, its supplementation and allergic diseases. A literature search was made independently by the Authors, identifying articles for a narrative review. As per literature, Vitamin D plays a key role in calcium and phosphate metabolism, and it is essential for bone health in infants, children and adolescents. However, there is presently insufficient evidence to support vitamin D supplementation for prevention or treatment of allergic diseases in infants, children and adolescents, concerning allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergy and atopic dermatitis.

Long distance transport of ragweed pollen as a potential cause of allergy in central Italy.

BACKGROUND: Ambrosia pollen is an important allergen in North America and, as recently discovered, in some European countries. In Italy, the most affected area is the northeast, whereas ragweed has not been reported in the central and southern parts of the country. OBJECTIVE: To identify the source of ragweed pollen detected in Florence and Pistoia in central Italy. METHODS: Ragweed pollen data were collected in Florence and Pistoia for a 6-year period (1999-2004). The relationship between pollen counts and local ground prevalent wind directions was evaluated with analysis of variance and the least significant difference test. Weather conditions were also evaluated on a large-scale circulation pattern by analyzing weather maps and air mass back trajectories. RESULTS: A highly statistically significant relationship between daily prevailing wind direction and pollen count was found in the period under investigation; the ragweed pollen peaks were recorded when winds from northeast in Florence and north-northeast in Pistoia were observed. The synoptic weather situation and the path of back trajectories suggest an area around southern Hungary as a possible source of Ambrosia pollen. Furthermore, the pollen count was above the clinical threshold several times in both Florence and Pistoia. CONCLUSIONS: Several factors indicate that the detection of ragweed pollen in central Italy is due to long distance transport. Taking into consideration the high allergenicity of Ambrosia pollen, the present findings, if confirmed, suggest that the number of sensitized individuals might significantly increase in the near future.