Background: Background: Fungi spores are virtually everywhere and can be seen under any circumstances. Aerobiologic studies have shown that Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Fusarium from Ascomycetes are the most common fungi spores in the ambient air. These fungi are a cause of allergic and infectious respiratory diseases. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dust storms on fungi spore's diversity in hot and cold seasons in Ahvaz, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, three areas of Ahvaz were selected. The study took place during the summer and autumn of 2017. Ninety-three samples from the ambient air were taken by Quick take pump with 28.3 (L/min) flow rate in 3 minutes. Sampling was carried out on Potato Dextrose Agar based on Anderson method. Results: The means of most isolated fungi spores in the summer were as follows: Cladosporium 239, Aspergillus flavus 88, Penicillium 82 and Aspergillus niger 58 CFU/m 3. In the autumn season, the mean of most isolated fungi spores was as follows: Cladosporium 1,733, Penicillium 82, Aspergillus niger 55 and Ustilago 32 CFU/m 3. Moreover, the mean of most isolated fungi spores in normal air days was: Cladosporium 440, Penicillium 97, and Aspergillus flavus 68 CFU/m 3 and in dusty air days, they were: Cladosporium 2,277, Aspergillus niger 74, and Penicillium 49 CFU/m 3. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that Ahvaz ambient air contains diverse fungi spores, and there was a significant difference between normal and dusty days in terms of the mean value of fungi spores. Also, a significant difference was found between the mean value of fungi spores in hot and cold seasons.

Background Aim of this study was to determine whether any specific fungal spores could be responsible for changes observed in lung function indices. Materials and methods 1042 new allergic patients were selected from July 2017 to May 2018 in Ahvaz City, Iran. Fungal samples were collected in normal and dusty condition within 5 and 2 min, respectively. Sampling was repeated once every 6 days and also in the dusty days. Results Average numbers of fungi colony were 639.86 and 836.44 CFU m −3 under normal and dusty conditions, respectively. Most common fungi in Ahwaz City air were Cladosporium sp., Penicillium sp., Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus Flavus and Alternaria sp.. Highest fungal mean concentrations, 392 and 480 CFU m −3 , were related to Cladosporium sp. under normal and dust conditions, respectively. Average total numbers of colony fungal were 614, 483, 1082, 424 CFU m −3 and 856, 701, 1418, 418 CFU m −3 during the spring, summer, autumn, and winter under normal and dusty conditions, respectively. Patients were evaluated by measured lung function parameters of FEV 1 (L), FEV 1 (%pred), FVC (L), FVC (%pred), and FEV 1 /FVC ratio with mean values of 1. 85, 58.32, 2.63, 68.18, and 69.43, respectively. Conclusion Increases in mean total spores of fungi in spring were accompanied by decreases in FEV 1 /FVC ratio. Enhanced spores of Cladosporium sp. in spring led to reduced FEV 1 /FVC ratio. Increase the spores of Curvularia sp. in summer decreased by FEF 25-75% . The augmented spores of Drechslera sp. in summer were associated with declined FEV 1 and FEV 1 /FVC ratio. Enhanced fungal spores of Rhizopus sp. in spring resulted in lowered FEV 1 , FEV 1 /FVC ratio, and FEF 25-75% .

Using the 5A model can lead to increased exercise tolerance and decreased dyspnea in COPD patients. Therefore, this self-management program is recommended as an effective way to improve their functional status.