Seasonal distribution of Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium species isolated in homes of fungal allergic patients.

BACKGROUND: Allergy to airborne fungi can cause rhinitis and severe asthma, hence the exposure to spores inside home is an important factor of sensitization. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution and prevalence of species of Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium inside and outside of homes of patients allergic to fungi and to evaluate seasonal variations. METHODS: Air samples were collected in 22 selected homes of patients with allergy to fungi using a volumetric method of impacting plates with culture media. The isolated species were identified and statistical analysis of the presence of the four fungi was carried out. RESULTS: A total of 431 indoor and 150 outdoor exposed plates were cultured, leading to isolation of 11,843 colonies of fungi (range 0- 1 666 colony-forming units per cubic meter (CFUs/m(3)). 85.5% of total colonies belonged to the four genera considered. The highest presence of Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium in indoor environment was registered in autumn. Alternaria was more frequent in summer. In the outdoor environment, Penicillium was more abundant in winter and Aspergillus in summer (P= .002). The largest numbers of isolations were of Cladosporium and Penicillium during all four seasons, indoors as well as outdoors. Alternaria was present in all the homes studied both in summer and in autumn. The most prevalent species were: Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium herbarum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum. CONCLUSIONS: The quantitative analysis of the four taxa related with respiratory allergies demonstrated considerable seasonal variability. Statistical differences between the indoor and outdoor prevalence were detected only in Alternaria. In summer and autumn, the greater level of exposure to the four studied taxas occurred inside homes.

[Sensitization to Castanea sativa pollen and pollinosis in northern Extremadura (Spain)]. / Sensibilización a polen de castaño y polinosis en el norte de Extremadura.

BACKGROUND: Castanea sativa pollen allergy has generally been considered to be uncommon and clinically insignificant. In our geographical area (Plasencia, Cáceres, Spain) Castanea sativa pollen is a major pollen. OBJECTIVE: To determine the atmospheric fluctuations and prevalence of patients sensitized to Castanea pollen in our region and to compare this sensitization with sensitizations to other pollens. METHODS: Patients with respiratory symptoms attending our outpatient clinic for the first time in 2003 were studied. The patients underwent skin prick tests with commercial extracts of a battery of inhalants including Castanea sativa pollen. Serologic specific IgE to Castanea sativa pollen was determined using the CAP system (Pharmacia and Upjohn, Uppsala, Sweden). Airborne pollen counts in our city were obtained using Cour collection apparatus over a 4-year period (2000 to 2003). RESULTS: The most predominant pollens detected were (mean of the maximal weekly concentrations over 4 years in pollen grains/m3): Quercus 968, Poacea 660, Olea 325, Platanus 229, Pinus 126, Cupresaceae 117, Plantago 109, Alnus 41, Populus 40, Castanea 32. We studied 346 patients (mean age: 24.1 years). In 210 patients with a diagnosis of pollinosis, the percentages of sensitization were: Dactylis glomerata 80.4%, Olea europea 71.9%, Fraxinus excelsior 68%, Plantago lanceolata 62.8%, Chenopodium album 60.9%, Robinia pseudoacacia 49%, Artemisia vulgaris 43.8%, Platanus acerifolia 36.6%, Parietaria judaica 36.1%, Populus nigra 32.3%, Betula alba 27.6%, Quercus ilex 21.4%, Alnus glutinosa 20.9%, Cupressus arizonica 7.6% and Castanea sativa 7.1%. Fifteen patients were sensitized to Castanea sativa and 14 had seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma. Ten patients had serum specific IgE to Castanea pollen (maximum value: 17.4 Ku/l). Castanea pollen is present in our area in large amounts from the 23rd to the 28th weeks of the year, with a peak pollen count in the 25th week. CONCLUSIONS: The most important allergenic pollens in northern Extremadura were Poaceae, Olea europaea and Plantago sp. The prevalence of sensitization to Castanea sativa pollen was very low (7.1%). Most sensitized patients had asthma and polysensitization. Castanea sativa pollen is not a major cause of pollinosis in our area.

Sensibilización a polen de castaño y polinosis en el norte de Extremadura / Sensitization to Castanea sativa pollen and pollinosis in northern Extremadura (Spain)

Introducción: La alergia al polen de castaño (Castanea sativa) ha sido considerada rara y clínicamente insignificante. En nuestra área geográfica (Plasencia, Cáceres, España) es un polen predominante. Objetivo: Este trabajo pretende determinar las fluctuaciones atmosféricas y la existencia de individuos sensibilizados al polen de castaño y su comparación con otras especies. Métodos: Pacientes que acudieron en el año 2003 por primera vez a nuestra consulta por síntomas respiratorios. Se les realizó prueba del prick con extractos comerciales de una batería de aeroalérgenos que incluía polen de castaño. Se determinó la IgE específica a polen de Castanea sativa por CAP system (Pharmacia & Upjohn, Uppsala, Suecia). El estudio aerobiológico se realizó con un captador Cour, durante los años 2000-2003. Resultados: Los taxones más abundantes fueron (media de la concentración semanal máxima de los 4 años, en granos de polen/m 3 de aire): Quercus 968, gramíneas 660, olivo 325, plátano de sombra 229, pino 126, cupresáceas 117, llantén 109, aliso 41, chopo 40, castaño 32... Se estudiaron 346 pacientes. En los 210 diagnosticados de polinosis, los porcentajes de sensibilización fueron: Dactylis glomerata 80,4 %, Olea europea 71,9 %, Fraxinus excelsior 68 %, Plantago lanceolata 62,8 %, Chenopodium album 60,9 %, Robinia pseudoacacia 49 %, Artemisia vulgaris 43,8 %, Platanus acerifolia 36,6 %, Parietaria judaica 36,1 %, Populus nigra 32,3 %, Betula alba 27,6 %, Quercus ilex 21,4 %, Alnus glutinosa 20,9 %, Cupressus arizonica 7,6 % y Castanea sativa 7,1 %. Hubo quince pacientes sensibilizados al polen de castaño, catorce con rinoconjuntivitis y asma. Diez tuvieron IgE específica sérica a polen de castaño, aunque el valor mayor encontrado fue de 17,4 ku/L. El castaño polinizó en las semanas 23 a 28, con pico en la 25. Conclusiones: Los pólenes alergénicos más importantes en el norte de Extremadura fueron gramíneas, Olea europea y Plantago sp. La prevalencia de sensibilización al polen de Castanea sativa fue del 7,1 %, cifra muy baja. La mayoría de los pacientes eran asmáticos y estuvieron polisensibilizados. El polen de castaño no es un alérgeno importante en nuestra zona como causa de polinosis

Background: Castanea sativa pollen allergy has generally been considered to be uncommon and clinically insignificant. In our geographical area (Plasencia, Cáceres, Spain) Castanea sativa pollen is a major pollen. Objective: To determine the atmospheric fluctuations and prevalence of patients sensitized to Castanea pollen in our region and to compare this sensitization with sensitizations to other pollens. Methods: Patients with respiratory symptoms attending our outpatient clinic for the first time in 2003 were studied. The patients underwent skin prick tests with commercial extracts of a battery of inhalants including Castanea sativa pollen. Serologic specific IgE to Castanea sativa pollen was determined using the CAP system (Pharmacia & Upjohn, Uppsala, Sweden). Airborne pollen counts in our city were obtained using Cour collection apparatus over a 4-year period (2000 to 2003). Results: The most predominant pollens detected were (mean of the maximal weekly concentrations over 4 years in pollen grains/m 3): Quercus 968, Poacea 660, Olea 325, Platanus 229, Pinus 126, Cupresaceae 117, Plantago 109, Alnus 41, Populus 40, Castanea 32. We studied 346 patients (mean age: 24.1 years). In 210 patients with a diagnosis of pollinosis, the percentages of sensitization were: Dactylis glomerata 80.4 %, Olea europea 71.9 %, Fraxinus excelsior 68 %, Plantago lanceolata 62.8 %, Chenopodium album 60.9 %, Robinia pseudoacacia 49 %, Artemisia vulgaris 43.8 %, Platanus acerifolia 36.6 %, Parietaria judaica 36.1 %, Populus nigra 32.3 %, Betula alba 27.6 %, Quercus ilex 21.4 %, Alnus glutinosa 20.9 %, Cupressus arizonica 7.6 % and Castanea sativa 7.1 %. Fifteen patients were sensitized to Castanea sativa and 14 had seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma. Ten patients had serum specific IgE to Castanea pollen (maximum value: 17.4 Ku/l). Castanea pollen is present in our area in large amounts from the 23rd to the 28th weeks of the year, with a peak pollen count in the 25th week. Conclusions: The most important allergenic pollens in northern Extremadura were Poaceae, Olea europaea and Plantago sp. The prevalence of sensitization to Castanea sativa pollen was very low (7.1 %). Most sensitized patients had asthma and polysensitization. Castanea sativa pollen is not a major cause of pollinosis in our area