Airborne and allergenic fungal spores of the Karachi environment and their correlation with meteorological factors

Abstract

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.

Dynamics (seasonal and intra-diurnal) of air-borne fungal spore population of Doha area, Qatar

“…In Turkey, both Alternaria and Cladosporium were significantly and positively correlated with temperature and humidity (Erkara et al, 2009). Our results showed similar trends with studies that have been conducted in countries with similar environment like Qatar, Hasnain et al, (2012) demonstrated that the occurrence of Alternaria spores is negatively and significantly correlated to temperature and Hameed et al, (2007) mentioned a negative insignificant correlation with relative humidity. Çolakoglu (1996) and Nourian et al (2007) found that the concentration of Cladosporium spores increased significantly as the temperature decreased which is in support to our findings.…”

“…(Figure.2). Similar to our results, Hasnain et al (2012) found that the concentration of several fungal spore counts to be significantly and negatively correlated with temperature, though a positive and insignificant correlation was Pepeljnjak, 2006). Based on our statistical correlation analysis between weather data and fungal aerospors, the temperature might have the greatest influence on the dynamics of airborne fungal spores, a fact that have been highlighted by many authors, among those: (Stepalska & Wołek, 2005;Sousa et al, 2008;Grinn-Gofron, 2010;Grinn-Gofroń, & Bosiacka, 2015).…”

“…and Penicillium represented the major fungal airospora in the atmosphere of Doha, Qatar. All these fungi are frequently associated with allergy (Wu et al, 2007;Sen & Asan, 2009;Hasnain et al, 2012;Knutsen et al, 2012). In the Middle East and particularly in the Gulf region only few respiratory fungal studies have been attempted to assess the prevalence of allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, bronchial asthma, and allergic bronchopulmonary mycoses developed from the frequent exposure to allergenic spores.…”

The contribution of fungal spores and bacteria to regional and global aerosol number and ice nucleation immersion freezing rates

“…To further evaluate fungal spore number concentrations, we synthesised observations of long-term (those with at least a full annual cycle) fungal spore number concentrations from the literature (Ho et al, 2005;Sousa et al, 2009;GrinnGofron et al, 2011;Herrero et al, 2006;Lim et al, 1998;Henriquez et al, 2001;Hasnain et al, 2012). Observations are typically made using 7-day spore traps and microscopic identification and counting techniques; these methods are inherently uncertain and subject to operator error.…”

Study on Fungi Inhabiting Indoor Woods and their Eco-Friendly Management

“…Out of these, four species belong to the genus Aspergillus. Earlier research work also revealed the presence of these species in indoor environment [22][23][24][25][26]. Many of the indoor fungi cause indoor microbial pollution and also known to produce mycotoxins.…”