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Airborne fungal spores are well known to cause respiratory allergic diseases particularly bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, rhino-conjunctivitis and allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis in both adults and children. In order to monitor and analyze airborne fungal flora of the Karachi environment, an aeromycological study was conducted using a Burkard 7-Day Recording Volumetric Spore Trap from January to December 2010. The data recorded from the Spore Trap was further analyzed for percent catch determination, total spores concentration, seasonal periodicities and diurnal variations. Cladosporium spp (44.8%), Alternaria spp. (15.5%), Periconia spp (6.1%), Curvularia spp (2.1%), Stemphylium spp (1.3%) and Aspergillus/Penicillium type (1%) emerged to be major components constituting more than 70% of the airborne fungal flora. Cladosporium, Curvularia and Stemphylium displayed a clear seasonal trend, while there were no clear seasonal trends for other fungal spore types. Diurnal variations were observed to be mainly having daytime maxima. Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient analysis was conducted using various weather parameters. The various fungal types showed a negative correlation with heat index, dew point, wind velocity and wind chill. However, a positive correlation was found with humidity, rain and barometric pressure. In fact, Alternaria, Bipolaris and Periconia showed a negative correlation with temperature, while Cladosporium and Periconia showed a negative correlation with heat index, dew point, wind velocity and wind chill. The barometric pressure was positively correlated with Cladosporium. On the basis of these findings, it can be concluded that a number of fungal spores are present in the atmosphere of Karachi throughout the year, with certain atmospheric conditions influencing the release, dispersion, and sedimentation processes of some genera. It is expected that clinicians will use the identified fungal flora for diagnosis and treatment and/or adopt preventative measures for allergic individuals.

In recent times, the incidence of allergic diseases, particularly bronchial asthma, has been increasing worldwide. However, there appears to be no published data on the prevalence of allergic diseases among school children (3 to 16 years of age) in Karachi, Pakistan, with only limited data available among few age groups under one ISAAC study. The objective of this project was to investigate the prevalence of allergic diseases among school children (3 to 16 years of age) in the city of Karachi. The questionnaire that was used for data collection had previously been used for a similar study in neighboring Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. In 2007, a total of 3,000 surveys were distributed in various schools of Karachi, of which 2,325 completed surveys were obtained. SPSS was used to perform statistical analysis on the collected data. Survey results showed that the frequency of diagnosed (previously seen by physicians) cases of asthma stood at 15.8%, while the frequency of allergic rhinitis was found to be 28.50% among these children. Other parameters that were analyzed included dry cough (20.1%), wheezing (11.7%), breathlessness (15.40%), and eczema (21.8%). Furthermore, smoking by family members was found to be associated with asthma (p value less than 0.05), allergic rhinitis (p value less than 0.05), breathlessness (p value less than 0.05), dry cough (p value 0.002), and wheezing (p value less than 0.05). This study reveals that there is a significant number of school children in the metropolitan city of Karachi who have various allergic symptoms. It also sheds light on the fact that exposure to indoor environmental factors as well as family atopy can play a key role in increasing the chances of an individual to experience asthma and other allergy symptoms.

Background:In order to investigate the role of airborne Alternaria spp. in the sensitization of individuals having respiratory allergy symptoms, particularly bronchial asthma, an aerobiologic and clinical (diagnostic) study was conducted at several centers in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Airborne Alternaria spores were studied at four different centers in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al-Khobar, including three years at one site. Skin prick tests (SPT) were conducted on a total of 616 allergic individuals attending allergy clinics at six different hospitals in Abha, Qassim, Gizan, Jeddah, Hofuf and Makkah regions. Results: Alternaria spores constituted between 1.9%-9.6% of the total fungal air spora, and the maximum concentration exceeded 5x10 2 spores per m 3 of air in Jeddah, followed by 4.9x10 2 spores per m 3 in Al-Khobar. Mean weekly and monthly concentration of Alternaria fluctuated, reaching up to 150 spores per m 3 and 60 spores per m 3 , respectively. Quantitative regional variations were also recorded. IgE-mediated SPT reactivities conducted on allergic patients resulted in an overall 21.6% positive reactions, showing mild, moderate and strong wheal and erythema. Conclusion:The findings reveal that Alternaria spores are prevalent as a major component in the outdoor environment of the Kingdom, with peaks in April and October. The overall 21.6% positive SPT reactions indicate the sensitization level or cross-reactive sensitivity to Alternaria allergens. The study suggests that airborne Alternaria can be a potential allergic sensitizer in susceptible individuals and can be a risk factor in sensitized individuals with symptoms of bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.