Variation in Airborne Fungal Spore Concentrations in Four Different Microclimate Regions in Romania

Abstract

Airborne fungal counts and types were examined in four regions from Romania. The aim of our study was to determine the concentrations of Alternaria, Cladosporium, Drechslera-type, Epicoccum and Nigrospora atmospheric fungal spores in urban areas: Braşov, Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Timişoara. Other objective of this study was to examine the relationships between atmospheric fungal spores and pollen. Few studies have confirmed the high frequency and concentrations for some of these spore types in Romania. The sampling sites differed in habitat characteristics, such as vegetation and microclimate. Airborne spores' sampling was carried out using the Lanzoni volumetric sampler and during August 2008. The totals of airborne spores recorded in this study show a considerable variation. Cladosporium and Alternaria have been identified as the most abundant and frequent fungal aeroallergens in Timişoara and Bucharest. Drechslera-type, Epicoccum, and Nigrospora had very low values of spore count in all sites. Observations show that seven types of pollen appear regularly and few of these are in great abundance. Fungi are present in the air in concentrations considerably in excess of that of pollen grains. Ambrosia artemisiifolia is the most important pollen allergen in all of the sampled areas discussed here, especially in western country (Timişoara).

The influence of meteorological parameters on Alternaria and Cladosporium fungal spore concentrations in Beja (Southern Portugal): preliminary results

“…1). Cladosporium spores were never detected at a concentration greater than 2000 spores/m 3 , and the lowest concentration cited in the literature is capable of triggering allergy symptoms (Ianovici et al 2013). Regarding the Alternaria type, a total of 20,741 spores were counted in the analysed period.…”

“…There were 24 days in which concentrations of Alternaria were greater than 50 spores/m 3 , whereby sensitised patients may exhibit clinical symptoms (Ianovici et al 2013). Table 3 presents Spearman's correlation coefficients between the meteorological parameters and the hourly concentrations of Alternaria and Cladosporium spores.…”

“…In addition, the Alternaria fungus has been associated with significant damage in agriculture (Simon-Nobbe et al 2008;Oliveira et al, 2009b). Ianovici et al (2013) cites Targonsky et al (1995), who described the atmospheric concentration of 2000 spores/m 3 as linear to Cladosporium spores, cause clinical symptoms. With regard to Alternaria spores, Ianovici et al (2013) cites Hasnain et al (1998), who suggested that clinical symptoms occur with atmospheric concentrations higher than 50 spores/m 3 .…”

Taraxacum officinale (Asteraceae) in the urban environment: seasonal fluctuations of plant traits and their relationship with meteorological factors

“…The characteristic vegetation of Timisoara is anthropogenic forest steppe which is typical of the Banat Plain [37]. The climate is moderate temperate-continental [38]. The main pollutants tend to be airborne particles, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and volatile organic compounds.…”

Relation between Poaceae pollen concentrations and meteorological factors during 2000–2010 in Timisoara, Romania

“…For sensitive people, the threshold value is 30 grains/m 3 , above which the symptoms of pollinosis occur [16]. After Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Poaceae discharges the second biggest amount of pollen of all taxa [25,26]. Knowledge about daily, seasonal and annual fluctuations in airborne pollen in any geographical area is essential for diagnosis, therapy and prophylaxis of allergic rhinitis [27].…”