Aeromycoflora over rice field and their allergenic effect on farmers of N24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Background: There is increasing concern about the exposure to fungal aerosols in occupational environments and associated respiratory allergic diseases and asthma. The information about the fungal aerosols, causing allergy, on the paddy field of 24Parganas (North) are largely lacking. The aim of the study was to assess the concentration of the major airborne pathogenic fungal spore over paddy field and to asses their allergenic potential causing respiratory allergy among agricultural workers. Method: Volumetric assessment of airborne culturable and nonculturable pathogenic fungal spores was performed in the experimental site for 2 consecutive years (November 2011-October 2013) by using Andersen volumetric sampler and Burkard Personal Sampler. Extraction of individual fungal protein was prepared using Ycell lysis reagent (buffer) at pH 7.4. Skin prick test were performed with fungal antigenic extracts on people who were either occupationally involved or used to visit the places having allergic symptoms, which was confirmed by in vivo dot blotting using patients sera.. Results: A total of 34 spore types and 24 types of viable colony forming units were recorded. The major perennial fungal spore types included Aspergilli group, Fusarium sp., Cladosporium sp., Nigrospora sp., Helminthosporium sp., Alternaria sp., Drechslera sp. etc. showed higher skin sensitivity among the agricultural field workers with respiratory disorders living inside the study area. Based on the local hospital admission record of the farmer, the higher allergenic manifestation was observed in winter and rainy season. Dot blotting showed that perennial spores are major allergic to atopic people.