Sensitization to environmental antigens in asthmatic children from a central Italian area

Airborne allergenic fungal spores and meteorological factors in Greece: Forecasting possibilities

“…Airborne spores of the fungi Alternaria and Cladosporium have been documented as highly allergenic agents in Thessaloniki, Greece (Gioulekas et al 2004), similarly to other locations worldwide (Hasnain et al 1994;Targonski et al 1995;D'Amato et al 1997;Halonen et al 1997;Corsico et al 1998;Resano et al 1998;Verini et al 2001;Mari et al 2003). Many researchers relate the occurrence of respiratory allergy symptoms with the presence of these spores in the ambient air (Kauffman et al 1995;Downs et al 2001).…”

“…Many researchers relate the occurrence of respiratory allergy symptoms with the presence of these spores in the ambient air (Kauffman et al 1995;Downs et al 2001). In fact it has been frequently reported that severe asthma episodes, even acute respiratory failure incidents, have been provoked after prolonged exposure to the above fungal spores types (O'Hollaren et al 1991;Kauffman et al 1995;Dales et al 2000;Bush & Prochnau, 2004), particularly in sensitised children and young adults (O'Hollaren et al 1991;Targonski et al 1995;Dales et al 2000;Downs et al 2001;Verini et al 2001;Bush & Prochnau, 2004).…”

“…were selected, as these comprise the most abundant in the air of Thessaloniki (Gioulekas et al 2004). Also, the fungal spores of Alternaria (O'Hollaren et al 1991;Kauffman et al 1995;Targonski et al 1995;D'Amato et al 1997;Halonen et al 1997;Corsico et al 1998;Resano et al 1998;Downs et al 2001;Verini et al 2001;Mari et al 2003;Bush & Prochnau, 2004) and Cladosporium (Hasnain et al 1994;D'Amato et al 1997;Resano et al 1998) are considered as the most commonly implicated to respiratory allergy symptoms worldwide, including the area of Thessaloniki (Gioulekas et al 2004).…”

“…Mostly fungal spores -and not pollen grainshave been reported to be responsible for hospital admissions related to asthma attacks or even acute respiratory failure (O'Hollaren et al 1991;Kauffman et al 1995;Dales et al 2000;Bush & Prochnau, 2004); hence, these kinds of respiratory diseases are usually well documented for children and young adults (O'Hollaren et al 1991;Targonski et al 1995;Dales et al 2000;Downs et al 2001;Verini et al 2001;Bush & Prochnau, 2004). There is an urgent need for developing advanced forecasting models in order to reduce the risk for allergic patients.…”

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

“…Monosensitized patients often appear to be either children who may develop polysensitization later in life or adults who will only develop a single allergenic sensitivity (388,1365,1366).…”