Abstract
<i>Alternaria</i> spores are known to be potent aeroallergens and their concentrations in the air are strongly dependent on meteorological factors. There are many articles from different parts of the world about relationships between <i>Alternaria</i> spore count and weather parameters. The aim of the study was to review all available publications about airborne <i>Alternaria</i> spores and compare the results in short, useful form.
Highlights
The form-division Fungi Imperfecti or Deuteromycota is an artificial category
Alternaria, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Drechslera, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Nigrospora and Stemphylium were listed by Kendrick (1990) as the ‘Big Eight’ because of their allergenicity and frequency in the air
Alternaria spores vary in size, but Licorish et al (1985) said it could be safely assumed that even the larger Alternaria spores could penetrate the lungs causing asthma
Summary
The form-division Fungi Imperfecti or Deuteromycota is an artificial category. Members of this group were originally combined into a single group because they apparently lacked a sexual stage. The conidia are dark, multi-septate, both transverse and longitudinal They vary in width and length according to species, usually 8 to 75 micrometers in length; some species, such as Alternaria longissima, can be found with a length of up to 500 micrometers (0.5 milimeters). Certain fungal spores are known to cause an allergic response and spores of the genus Alternaria have been known to trigger asthma for over 50 years (H o p - k i n s et al 1939). Alternaria spores vary in size, but Licorish et al (1985) said it could be safely assumed that even the larger Alternaria spores could penetrate the lungs causing asthma. One estimated threshold concentration of Alternaria spores needed to provoke an allergic response is 100 spores m-3 of air (Gravesen , 1979). In Poland Rapiejko et al (2004) reported that a subject with hypersensitivity to Alternaria allergens experienced the symptoms during exposure to a concentration of approximately 80 spores m-3 of air
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