Aerobiologia最新文献

This study investigates the impact of geographic location on birch and grass pollen seasons in Akureyri, Iceland, and Kraków, Poland, during the years 1998–2023 highlighting the significant variations in pollen dynamics due to differing climatic conditions. Wind-dispersed (anemophilous) pollen is not only crucial for plant reproduction but also a prominent trigger for allergic diseases affecting a large portion of the global population. We analyzed atmospheric pollen concentrations alongside meteorological variables to assess the timing, duration, and intensity of pollen seasons in both locations over the period 1998–2023. Results indicate that birch pollen seasons are more sensitive to meteorological factors, including temperature and precipitation, than grass pollen seasons. In Akureyri, both birch and grass pollen seasons demonstrate greater responsiveness to environmental changes, with complex interactions involving preceding weather conditions. In contrast, Kraków exhibits a more stable climate, with clearer correlations between meteorological variables and pollen production. This comparative analysis reveals that while Kraków grass pollen seasons are predominantly influenced by temperature, Akureyri dynamic weather leads to more variability in pollen season characteristics. Understanding these differences is essential for predicting future changes in pollen exposure and their implications for public health, particularly in light of climate change. Our findings emphasize the need for localized research to unravel the intricate relationships between geographic location, climate variability, and pollen season characteristics, providing valuable insights for managing allergic diseases related to pollen exposure.

Graphical abstract

Introduction

In light of the recent prevalence of Middle Eastern dust and poor air quality in Khorramabad city (Lorestan, Iran), this study aimed to investigate the presence of Penicillium species in the outdoor air. Outdoor airborne fungi exhibit significant diversity and include numerous genera, including Penicillium. Exposure to Penicillium can have adverse health effects on individuals.

Materials and methods

Sampling was carried out on both dusty and normal days over 12 months from 2018 to 2019. The samples underwent mycological analysis (direct and culture) and molecular analysis (PCR) using ITS1 and ITS4 primers. Daily meteorological and air pollutant data were incorporated into the environmental assessment. Multivariate techniques, including principal component analysis (PCA) and self-organizing maps (SOM), were employed to analyze the data.

Results

Ten species of Penicillium fungi were identified. The average concentration of fungi on normal and dusty days was 59.87 CFU/m³ and 179.40 CFU/m³, respectively. The most commonly isolated fungi from the air under normal and dusty conditions were Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium brevicompactum, respectively. Notably, this study reported the first isolation of Talaromyces albobiverticillus in the outdoor air of Iran, specifically during dusty days in winter.

Conclusion

Considering the harmful effects of various Penicillium species on human health and their presence in the air of Khorramabad city, understanding the impact of meteorological parameters and air pollutants on these fungus’ survival and airborne transmission is essential. This knowledge is crucial for controlling and minimizing human exposure to airborne fungi.

Construction activities in close proximity to a hospital facility present significant environmental risk for patients and healthcare staff, including exposure to particulate matter (PM), and microbiological agents that may rise during the excavation works. From 2021 to 2026, the Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, (AOUP, Pisa, Italy) will coexist with an adjacent construction site. The aim of this study is to assess the biological risks associated with the hospital renovation by monitoring the effectiveness of the protective and preventive measures applied, which can also be used for future renovation works. The monitoring plan considers the evaluation of 0.5 µm or greater PM, the total microbial load and yeasts and molds from air and surfaces in areas close to the construction site, which are categorized in very high risk (VHR), high risk (HR), and medium risk (MR). Conformity rates for each parameter were assessed from September 2021 to September 2022. Conformity rates for both air and surfaces decrease proportionally with the environmental cleanliness, with the highest levels observed in VHR–HR (83% for air and 100% for surfaces) and the lowest in MR (38% for air and 88% for surfaces). Considering the PM, the lowest conformity rate is observed in VHR (43%), while the highest rate is recorded in MR (83%). Conformity rates decrease during the warmer months. The effectiveness of preventive and protective measures, such as weatherstripping and enhanced sanitation of both indoor environments and air handling systems (which can be assessed through environmental monitoring) is an effective strategy for mitigating infectious risks throughout the construction process. These measures can also contribute to improved hygiene standards in hospitals, enabling prompt intervention in critical situations and safeguarding the most vulnerable groups, including patients and healthcare staff.

Wheat threshing leads to increased frequency of airborne pathogens, a potential health hazard to farm workers and neighboring community. The present study gave insights about prevalence of allergens (bacterial and fungal) in straw dust. The study, conducted during 2023 at PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan, aimed to evaluate reduction of pathogens frequency through three newly developed dust control systems, viz. system-I (dust control chamber), system-II (cyclone separator), and system-III (misting) attached to wheat thresher and control (conventional wheat threshing). Airborne pathogens (fungal and bacterial) were sampled using Petri plates placed at different distances from wheat thresher’s outlet using each dust control system as well as conventional wheat threshing. Bacterial and fungal colonies were cultured, isolated and noted their frequency. Four fungal genera (Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp., Alternaria sp. and Penicillium sp.) were identified from straw dust based on morphological characteristics. The prevalence of Cladosporium sp. was generally higher compared to other genera. Frequency of bacterial and fungal colonies decreased as the distance from the wheat thresher increased. Mean pathogen frequencies of bacteria (15, 17, 18 and 18) and fungi (32, 40, 48 and 184) were recorded for system-I, system-II, system-III and control, respectively. Results revealed that frequency of fungal pathogens was higher than bacterial in straw dust in all treatments. Percent decrease in bacteria (16.7, 5.6 and 0) and fungi (82.6, 78.3 and 73.9) was found for system-I, system-II and system-III, respectively. Hence, it can be inferred from results that system-I (dust control chamber) can reduce pathogens frequency effectively. Besides, these findings suggest solution to minimize straw dust thereby protecting the health of farm workers and nearby communities against intensity of allergens causing respiratory issues and related infections.

Graphical Abstract

Here, we analyze the Belgian aerobiological surveillance network design that consists of five pollen monitoring stations. Firstly, we focus on the network quality, evaluating how well the interpolated daily observed concentration fields reproduce the spatiotemporal reference data quantified by the Root-Mean-Square-Error (RMSE), from the 2013 to 2021 birch and grass pollen seasons. The reference dataset was derived from the pollen transport model SILAM (System for Integrated modeling of Atmospheric composition) using ECMWF ERA5 meteorology and pollen emission sources specific for Belgium. Secondly, for evaluating the network coverage representativeness, we perform a footprint-based analysis by running SILAM in the backward mode for the same seasons, which indicates the areas contributing to the concentrations observed in each station. We show that the Belgian aerobiological surveillance network performs well with respect to the spatiotemporal reference dataset for airborne birch and grass pollen near the surface. The quality threshold (normalized RMSE) is met in 79% of the birch pollen days and 80% of the grass pollen days over the nine pollen seasons. For the 2015 birch pollen season 100% is reached, for 2020 only 46%. For grass pollen the values range between 63 and 98% for 2021 and 2017, respectively. The footprint analysis shows that on average the coverage of the monitoring stations for birch pollen is quite good with typical large inter-seasonal differences. For grass pollen, the average coverage is larger, and the inter-seasonal variation is much lower. Out of five stations, three crucial monitoring sites for birch and grass pollen observations were identified. The study showed that the Belgian aerobiological monitoring network is of good quality, and its coverage is sufficiently high for airborne birch and grass pollen.

Landfill sites, which serve as the primary means of waste disposal, have become a growing concern due to the potential health risks associated with the generation and release of bioaerosols. The landfill sites are the reservoir of organic waste which provides required nutrients for the proliferation of microbes, which are subsequently released as bioaerosols in the air due to various anthropogenic and natural dispersion processes. Bioaerosols can carry pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can cause respiratory diseases in humans. Hence, exposure to these bioaerosols can lead to infectious as well as allergic health problems, especially in occupations involving waste management. Bioaerosols can cause infectious and respiratory diseases, including influenza, pneumonia, tuberculosis, Legionnaires disease, Pontiac fever, and pertussis. Vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, may be particularly susceptible to the adverse health effects. Fungal aerosols can also spread and cause skin and respiratory conditions, endangering workers in recycling and waste disposal sites.

The review highlights the importance of monitoring microbial air quality at landfill sites to protect workers and residents from potential risks associated with exposure to airborne microbes.

Graphic Abstract

Airborne pollen is a significant source of particulate matter that affects air quality and human health. Its dispersal and deposition are influenced mainly by plant distribution and meteorological factors. This study used airborne pollen collected by a Durham sampler from March to October in 2018, 2019, and 2020 in northern Beijing, China, to examine the correlations among eight major pollen types, vegetation, and meteorological factors. Vegetation information within 20 km and 50 km buffers around our sampling site and continuous meteorological data were analyzed. The results show that (1) airborne pollen in northern Beijing is transported by light (1.6–3.3 m/s) and moderate (3.4–5.4 m/s) winds. (2) The amount of pollen in the air is strongly correlated with meteorological factors, particularly temperature before the pollen season. The counts of arboreal pollen grains are positively correlated with pre-flowering temperature. In contrast, the herbaceous ones are negatively associated with temperature the weeks before flowering. (3) Plants with similar flowering seasons have similar meteorological conditions for high pollen dispersal and deposition. Due to their extensive source locations and species, as well as longer flowering seasons, Pinus and Poaceae pollen have wider ranges of meteorological conditions during the pollen deposition. This study provides a basis for establishing more accurate quantitative relationships between pollen, vegetation, and meteorological conditions and offers scientific guidance for effectively preventing hay fever.

Alternaria is a common airborne fungus known to cause allergies and asthma. Its spores through the allergen Alt a 1 are significant contributors to respiratory issues. This study investigates the concentration of Alternaria spores and the allergen Alt a 1 in Zonguldak, Türkiye, from 2015 to 2017. Spore and allergen Alt a 1 samples were collected using a Burkard spore trap and a BGI900 High-volume Air Sampler, respectively, during the main spore season from June to September. The highest spore concentrations were recorded in 2015 and 2016, significantly higher than in 2017. Monthly variations showed peak spore concentrations in August for 2015, July for 2016 and 2017. The highest Alt a 1 allergen concentration was observed in 2017, despite lower spore counts. The substantial increase in rainfall during August 2016 and 2017, compared to 2015, likely contributed to the reduced spore concentrations observed in those years. Alt a 1 allergen concentrations exhibited peak levels in August for 2015, July for 2016, and 2017. The study identified significant day-to-day and year-to-year variability in spore allergenicity, with 2017 exhibiting the highest allergen per spore ratio. Correlation analysis between meteorological parameters and spore/allergen concentrations revealed that air temperature positively influenced spore and allergen levels in 2015 and 2016, while relative humidity and air pressure had variable effects. Wind direction also played a crucial role, with higher allergen concentrations associated with southern winds. The study highlights the complex relationship between environmental factors and airborne spore/allergen levels, emphasizing the significant impact of meteorological conditions over agricultural practices. These findings contribute to understanding the variability in fungal spore concentrations and their allergenicity, offering insights for better management of allergenic diseases in regions with similar climatic and geographical conditions.

Halophytes naturally occur in a variety of saline environments, and aeropalynology serves as an essential tool for the taxonomic and phylogenetic identification of species within their respective families. Halophytes are well-adapted to a range of saline habitats, and palynological analysis is instrumental in the taxonomic classification and identification of allergenic pollen from halophyte species, which are categorized within their respective botanical families. In this study, a systematic palynological investigation of 21 halophytic species from Peshawar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan) was conducted using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The main goal was to explore the taxonomic significance of pollen morphology to assist in identifying these halophytic taxa. The study found the highest representation of species from the Poaceae (six species) and Chenopodiaceae (fivespecies) families, with other families represented by a single species each. Pollen types observed included tricolporate, pantaporate, polypantoporate, tetrad, polyads, monoporate, and trizonocolporate. Additionally, significant variation in exine sculpturing was noted across species, ranging from reticulate, microechinate, scabrate, to microechinate-areolate types. The study reflects the importance of examining salt-tolerant palynoanatomical traits using advanced systematic tools at a regional level to improve the identification and classification of halophytes. The exploration of salt-tolerant palynomorphological traits using advanced systematic tools is crucial at the provincial level and can also provide valuable insights into the aerobiology of halophytic species, particularly regarding pollen dispersal and allergenic potential.