Relationships between airborne fungal spore concentration of Cladosporium and the summer climate at two sites in Britain

Abstract

Cladosporium conidia have been shown to be important aeroallergens in many regions throughout the world, but annual spore concentrations vary considerably between years. Understanding these annual fluctuations may be of value in the clinical management of allergies. This study investigates the number of days in summer when spore concentration exceeds the allergenic threshold in relation to regional temperature and precipitation at two sites in England and Wales over 27 years. Results indicate that number of days in summer when the Cladosporium spores are above the allergenic concentration is positively correlated with regional temperature and negatively correlated with precipitation for both sites over the study period. Further analysis used a winter North Atlantic Oscillation index to explore the potential for long-range forecasting of the aeroallergen. For both spore measurement sites, a positive correlation exists between the winter North Atlantic Oscillation index and the number of days in summer above the allergenic threshold for Cladosporium spore concentration.

Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) 2008*

“…Climatic change impacts allergens. Climate change impacts aeroallergens, particularly pollens (738) and molds (739). The timing of tree pollen seasons is known to depend mostly on a nonlinear balance between the winter chilling required to break dormancy and spring temperatures.…”

Atmospheric concentrations of Alternaria, Cladosporium, Ganoderma and Didymella spores monitored in Cork (Ireland) and Worcester (England) during the summer of 2010

“…Therefore, far greater numbers of studies relevant to spore concentrations, their distributions and correlation with meteorological parameters have been performed (e.g. Harvey 1967;Corden and Millington 1994;Hollins et al 2004). For example, monitoring campaigns for ambient Cladosporium concentrations and also the fungal genus, Ganoderma, have been carried out throughout the country (Sreeramulu 1963;Lewis et al 2000;Hollins et al 2004).…”

“…Harvey 1967;Corden and Millington 1994;Hollins et al 2004). For example, monitoring campaigns for ambient Cladosporium concentrations and also the fungal genus, Ganoderma, have been carried out throughout the country (Sreeramulu 1963;Lewis et al 2000;Hollins et al 2004). Furthermore, related studies have highlighted the significance of Alternaria, in conjunction with other primary biological aerosol particles (PBAP), for the exacerbation of symptoms in asthma sufferers (Langenberg et al 1977;Corden et al 2003).…”

MACVIA-ARIA Sentinel NetworK for allergic rhinitis (MASK-rhinitis): the new generation guideline implementation

“…Climate change impacts aeroallergens, particularly pollen (139) and moulds (140). The potential effect of land-use changes on pollen release may interact with climate change (141).…”