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Background:
The frequency and
concentration of
many airborne fungal
spores associated
with respiratory
allergy symptoms are
influenced by
geographical and
climatic
characteristics.
Objective:
The aim of this work
was to monitor the
distribution of 11
potentially
allergenic fungal
spore types in 2
regions with
different
urbanization levels
in Northern
Portugal: Porto
(urban area) and
Amares (rural area).
Methods:
Airborne fungal
spore levels were
monitored from 2005
to 2007 using Hirst-type
spore traps. The
Spearman correlation
test was used to
analyze the
influence of
meteorological
factors
(temperature,
relative humidity,
and rainfall) on
spore concentration.
Meteorological data
from both areas were
compared using the t
test, and spore
concentrations were
compared using the
sign test.
Results: In
both areas,
Cladosporium,
Agaricus,
Aspergillus/Penincillium,
Alternaria, Coprinus,
and rusts were the
most abundant fungal
types observed. Most
of the analyzed
spore types
presented maximum
values during the
summer months, with
the exception of
Polythrincium,
Stemphylium, and
Torula, which
reached a peak
earlier in the year,
whereas Aspergillus/Penicillium
and Botrytis showed
a wider
distribution.
Temperature had a
positive effect on
most spore
concentrations, and
relative humidity
and rainfall
negatively infl
uenced
concentrations of
Alternaria,
Cladosporium,
Epicoccum, and
Torula.
Conclusions:
The concentration of
all selected spore
types was higher in
the rural than in
the urban area, with
higher values
registered during
summer and autumn
and lower values
found during winter
and spring.
Meteorological
parameters, such as
air temperature,
humidity and
rainfall, influence
airborne
concentrations of
major allergenic
fungal spores.
Key words:
Aerobiology.
Allergens. Fungal
spores. Rural area.
Urban area.
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