Sensitization toAlternariaandCladosporiumin Patients with Respiratory Allergy and Outdoor Counts of Mold Spores in Ankara Atmosphere, Turkey

Abstract

Sensitization to Alternaria and Cladosporium has been reported to be 3% to 30% in European countries. However, in Turkey, there is limited data about the prevalence of sensitization to these molds and the intensity of the two mold spores in Ankara atmosphere. This study was designed to evaluate the sensitization to Alternaria and Cladosporium in patients with respiratory allergy in Ankara and also the concentration of the two molds in Ankara atmosphere. Allergic rhinitis and asthma patients living in Ankara were included in the study. Demographic and diagnostic data of the patients were recorded. A skin prick test with extracts supplied by three different laboratories was used to evaluate the sensitization to Alternaria and Cladosporium. Mold spores were measured using a Burkard 7-day recording volumetric spore trap in Ankara atmosphere during a year. Overall sensitization to the two molds was found to be 14.8%, and isolated Alternaria or Cladosporiumsensitization was 3%. Considering the positive reaction to at least one of the three suppliers, the sensitization rate was 11.9% and 8.1% for Alternaria and Cladosporium, respectively. Cochran's Q homogenization test demonstrated that the positive and negative reaction were not homogeneous among three laboratories. The total number of mold spores in Ankara atmosphere was 429,264 spores/m3 of which 75.5% and 6% were constituted by Cladosporium and Alternaria, respectively. The prevalence of Cladosporium and Alternaria sensitization in respiratory allergy patients is quite similar to European countries; however, our data indicate that commercial mold extracts should be standardized to establish the real sensitization rates. Additionally, considering the great numbers of these mold spores in Ankara atmosphere, long-term follow-up studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between the mold load and sensitization patterns.

Allergy skin test results of an outpatient pulmonary clinic in Gaziantep

“…Outdoor mold spores are present all the year round suspended in air, but they increase during summer (21). Cladosporium and Alternaria sensitivity is reported around 10% in the literature which is compatible with our data.…”

“…Cladosporium and Alternaria sensitivity is reported around 10% in the literature which is compatible with our data. Allergic rhinitis is common in subjects sensitive to molds (21,22). Dikensoy et al (11) had found sensitivity rates for Alternaria and Cladosporium as 48.9% and 41.8% respectively in asthmatic patients from Gaziantep.…”

Does mold sensitivity cause adenoid hypertrophy in children?

“…Epidemiyolojik çalışmalarda, Alternaria sensitizasyonunun prevalansı %3,6 iken, alerjik hastalığı olan seçilmiş hastalarda %30'a kadar çıkmakta-dır (11) . Bölgemizde toplumda Alternaria prevalansını gösteren çalışma olmamasına rağmen, solunum yolu alerjisi olan hastalarda Alternaria duyarlılığını araştı-ran çalışmalar vardır ve %11,9 civarında bildirilmektedir (12) . Toplumdaki prevalansın hafif üstünde %18 oranında duyarlılık saptadığımız için kontrol grubumuzun olmamasının önemi azalmıştır.…”

A study on the fungi isolated from the carpeting, walls and prayer beads from the New Mosque and Nuruosmaniye Mosque situated in the province of Istanbul

“…This can be considered to be very important from the perspective of the reproduction of fungi, allergic reaction and pathogenesis (Bavbek et al, 2006;Inal et al, 2008). Spores generally speaking enter the body through the respiratory system and on occasion rarely through the digestive tract or skin.…”

“…Due to the characteristic of being able to develop in different habitats, fungi are widely dispersed across earth (Bavbek et al, 2006;Inal et al, 2008). Some of the fungi lead a symbiotic existence whilst others can be saprophytic or parasitic (Öner, 2009).…”