Incidence of fungal spores at the homes of allergic patients in an agricultural community. III. Associations with local crops.

ABSTRACT

A predominantly agricultural community in California was surveyed for prevalent fungal spores during a 12-month period. Alternaria, Macrosporium and Stemphylium were recovered during asparagus and strawberry harvesting times year-round. Fusarium and Botrytis were less frequently associated with the strawberry harvest and were recovered only during the first quarter of the year. Epicoccum was recovered in the north end of the Salinas valley in low numbers throughout the year and was strongly associated with the strawberry and artichoke harvest. Aureobasidium (Pullularia) recovery occurred in different locations according to season, correlating somewhat with the cabbage harvest as well as with the harvest of strawberries. Recovery of the pigmented yeats showed strong correlation with the local growing season for lettuce. Cladosporium was prevalent year-round but did not appear to be signficantly affected by changing argicultural conditions. These data have permitted the predictability of mold aeroallergens with medical applications.