Projections of the effects of climate change on allergic asthma: the contribution of aerobiology

Abstract

Projections of the effects of climate change on allergic asthma: the contribution of aerobiology. Allergy 2010; 65: 1073-1081.There is unequivocal evidence that the climate is changing and at an increasing rate. Global average temperature has increased by more than 0.7°C over the past 100 years, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that the average global surface air temperatures in the years 2090-2099 are likely to be between 1.8 and 4.0°C warmer than those in 1980-1999, depending on which climate scenarios are input into the models (1). In addition to global warming, some regions, including northern Europe, are projected to experience increased rainfall while others, including the Mediterranean, are expected to experience substantial droughts. Extreme weather events, such as heat waves, heavy precipitation and thunderstorms, are also predicted to increase over the next few decades. These changes are as a result of increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and greenhouse gases in which anthropogenic activities play a key role.All the above climate-related factors can impact on the physiology and distribution of living organisms, such as plants and fungi. In this context, there is evidence that climate change affects pollen and spore production by plants and fungi as well as different phenological events. At the same time, current changes in climate are affecting the different aerobiological processes (emission, dispersion and/or transport, and deposition) of aeroallergens. AbstractClimate change is unequivocal and represents a possible threat for patients affected by allergic conditions. It has already had an impact on living organisms, including plants and fungi with current scenarios projecting further effects by the end of the century. Over the last three decades, studies have shown changes in production, dispersion and allergen content of pollen and spores, which may be region-and species-specific. In addition, these changes may have been influenced by urban air pollutants interacting directly with pollen. Data suggest an increasing effect of aeroallergens on allergic patients over this period, which may also imply a greater likelihood of the development of an allergic respiratory disease in sensitized subjects and exacerbation of symptomatic patients. There are a number of limitations that make predictions uncertain, and further and specifically designed studies are needed to clarify current effects and future scenarios. We recommend: More stress on pollen/ spore exposure in the diagnosis and treatment guidelines of respiratory and allergic diseases; collection of aerobiological data in a structured way at the European level; creation, promotion and support of multidisciplinary research teams in this area; lobbying the European Union and other funders to finance this research.

Climate change and respiratory diseases

“…Given the current trends in climate change in Europe, we are likely to observe an increase in the duration and severity of the pollen season [16], a greater number of intense precipitation events and other extreme events [1,16]. These elements indicate that environmental factors, such as pollen and moulds, involved in exacerbations of allergic respiratory diseases will have a more pronounced effect in the coming years [8].…”

Involvement of Climatic Factors in the Allergen Expression in Olive Pollen

“…This could be therefore one of the consequences of the so-called global warming produced by the greenhouse effect (Ahlholm et al 1998;Cecchi et al 2010). Moreover, we may speculate that the fact that urban areas are often exposed to temperatures 2 to 8 °C higher that rural areas (Oke 1987) may result in increased olive pollen allergenicity and allergy prevalence in and around the cities, where the olive tree is also present, as it is widely used as an ornamental plant.…”

Original Article. Sensitization to Aeroallergens in Pediatric Patients with Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

“…and Alternaria Cladosporium species are common in outdoor environments worldwide. Their airborne spores and mycelium debris present during spring, summer and especially autumn because of the degradation of leaves and other biomaterial [16]. In indoor environments, and Aspergillus Penicillium species predominate with relatively few characteristic seasonal changes [17,18].…”