Air pollution by allergenic spores of the genus Alternaria in the air of central and eastern Europe

Abstract

Spores of the genus Alternaria belong to one of the most prevailing constituents of the air in all regions of the world. They form infectious inoculum of numerous plant species as well as severe inhaled allergies. The aim of this study was to compare the biological pollution with Alternaria spores of the air of 12 cities located in central and eastern Europe. The experiment was done in 2010 and it covered the territory of Latvia (LV), Lithuania (LT), Poland (PL) and Ukraine (UA). The spores were counted using an identical method and standard equipment (7-day Lanzoni volumetric sampler) followed by extensive statistical calculations. The timing of the day of maximum concentration changed mainly along the N-S direction and had a positive correlation with latitude. The most important factor determining the increase in Alternaria spore concentration was the temperature, whereas other weather parameters were not related or of low significance. Regardless of geographical location, the first phase of the season (0–0.9 % of Alternaria spores in the air) was the longest (up to 60 days) and the last (97.5 to 99 %) was the shortest (22 days or less). The means of daily concentrations of Alternaria spores ranged from 11 spores m−3 in Klaipeda (LT, Baltic Sea coast) to 187 in Poznan (west PL, agricultural plain). The threshold value of 80 spores m−3 that triggers the first allergy symptoms was exceeded in 8 to 86 days (Vinnitsa, UA, temperate continental, forest-steppes region). There were considerable differences between the highest number of spores per cubic metre of air, varying from 139 in the north (Klaipeda, LT) to 2,295 in central west (Poznan, PL). The biological pollution by Alternaria spores in several places of central and eastern Europe was high; the number of days exceeding the threshold value of 300 spores m−3 connected with serious health problems of atopic people ranged from 0 to 1 on the north (LV, LT) to 29 in central west (Poznan, PL).

The fluctuations of airborne fungal components in western Romania

“…Our results are comparable to those obtained in other monitoring locations located in central and eastern Europe (Croatia, Ukraine, Poland) (Kasprzyk et al, 2015;Peternel et al, 2004;Grinn-Gofron, 2019). However, across temporal and spatial dimensions, microclimate has a stronger influence and is an important indicator of spore concentration rather than vegetation type (Ianovici et al, 2013;Grinn-Gofroń et al, 2019).…”

Temporal variability in the allergenicity of airborneAlternariaspores

“…On the contrary, elevated Alternaria spore concentrations correlated with high daily mean temperatures, which supports results from previous studies. 32 , 43–45 Exposure of Alternaria spore to simulated sunlight was investigated by Mitakakis, O’Meara. 45 The authors found that simulated sunlight reduced the metabolic activity and germinability of spores but the proportion of allergen released remained unaffected.…”

“…According to the latest study, airborne Alternaria spore concentrations in Poznań were the highest among many sites in Central and Eastern Europe. 32 Alternaria spores were collected each year from 10th July to 19th September ( n = 72 days per season), that is, during the main sporulation season of Alternaria in Poland. The spore trap was sited at roof level (18 m a.g.l.).…”

Warm and dry weather accelerates and elongates Cladosporium spore seasons in Poland

“…Statistical models have been designed for calculating and accurately predicting the patterns of spore release in many (Grinn-Gofron et al 2011 ; Kasprzyk et al 2015 ), but not all fungal taxa (Havis et al 2015 ; Jedryczka et al 2015 ). Moreover, the abundance of airborne particles sometimes depends on weather of the actual day, as well as the previous periods.…”