Aerobiological Investigations Research Articles

Airborne pollen seasonality of Kars province, a high-altitude region in NE Anatolia-Turkey

Aeropalynological studies quantify pollen present in the atmosphere and elucidate their seasonal variations and regional distribution. Utilizing a Hirst-type volumetric 7-day pollen and spore trap during 2012 and 2013, we conducted an aerobiological investigation in Kars province, Turkey, a region characterized by high altitude and severe climate. Across the 2-year study period, an average annual pollen concentration of 14,931 pollen/m3 was recorded, with 39 taxa identified, including 29.31% woody taxa, 70.58% herbaceous, and 0.11% unidentified. The seven most dominant taxa were Poaceae, Pinaceae, Artemisia, Amaranthaceae, Urticaceae, Quercus, and Cupressaceae/Taxaceae. The data indicated a significant risk period for individuals with pollen allergies from June to July. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate the correlation between the daily pollen concentrations of the dominant pollen types and the variables. The results demonstrated that an increase in temperature was positively correlated with higher pollen counts, whereas increased average relative humidity was associated with reduced pollen concentrations. Notably, herbaceous pollen taxa were more prevalent in Kars. Additionally, the main pollen season starts approximately 6 weeks later than that at lower altitudes. These findings underscore the importance of localized aerobiological monitoring for effective public health responses to pollen allergies.

Seasonal Pollinosis Due to Kans Grass Pollen: Prevalence and Immune-Biochemical Approach

Background: It has been recognized from the early days of allergology that aerobiological investigations have an important role to play in the development of respiratory allergic diseases. An increasing number of allergic complaints occurred among the atopic population during the blooming season of Kans grass, Saccharum spontaneum (SS), an obnoxious weed growing in and around suburban West Bengal. The present study aimed to identify SS pollen as a potential aero allergen through aerobiological, clinical, statistical, and biochemical analyses. Methods: An aerobiological survey was conducted for 2 years followed by a clinical diagnosis of 134 local atopic patients suffering from a respiratory allergy by a standard questionnaire survey and the skin prick test (SPT) using SS antigens. The antigenic protein profile was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and the allergizing potential of this pollen was investigated by an in vitro enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to recognize the presence of the sero-reactive proteins which were the suspected cause of the respiratory allergy. A Box-plot and regression analysis were performed to establish the significance of clinical data. Results: SS pollen was found to evoke about 70.14% sensitivity among the atopic population causing early spring hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. A regression analysis for the pollen antigen for estimating the total IgE value of a patient’s sera from their specific IgE value was a novel approach by our study. The antigenic extract of pollen resolved into more than 15 distinct protein bands ranging from 14.4 to 116 kDa, some of which were found to be glycosylated. The results showed that SS pollen has a significant presence in the atmosphere, which may trigger an allergic response in immunocompromised patients. Conclusions: This is, to our knowledge, the first attempt to identify allergens from Kans pollen causing seasonal pollinosis among the Indian atopic population using an immuno-clinical approach.

Prevalence of Fungal Spore During Kharif Season Over the Groundnut Field from Ausa District Latur

In the present investigation spore catching was done by using Tilak's continuous air sampler and Petri Plate exposure Method. Air sampler is instrument used for sampling of air or air monitoring. Varieties of such samplers with variable efficiency are available and selected as per requirement and components of aerospora. In present investigation air monitoring over groundnut crop was carried out by Volumetric Continuous Tilak Air Sampler. It is being used extensively for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the microbial content over groundnut at Ausa, The present investigation deals with the diversity of fungal spores in Groundnut field. The aerobiological investigation carried out by using Tilak air sampler to determine the concentration of airspora over Groundnut field in Ausa region. The period of investigation was carried out from June 2018 to Oct 2018.

Greater Mouse-Eared Bats (Myotis myotis) Hibernating in the Nietoperek Bat Reserve (Poland) as a Vector of Airborne Culturable Fungi.

Simple SummaryFungi and bats are important parts of many ecosystems where they play critical ecological roles. Bats can contribute to an increase of airborne fungi in underground ecosystems, which may cause allergies and infections in mammals. Our study contributes to gaining new knowledge about aeromycota present in the close vicinity of the hibernating greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) in an underground site. M. myotis is the most common bat species in Europe with direct human contact. Hibernating M. myotis contribute to an increase in the concentration of aeromycota in the underground site and is a vector/reservoir of microscopic fungi, including those that are potential threats to mammal populations; however, the concentration of aeromycota at this site does not pose a threat to human health.Bats can contribute to an increase of aeromycota in underground ecosystems and might be a vector/reservoir of microorganisms; however, there is no information about the number and species composition of fungi around hibernating bats. One of the most common species in Europe with direct human contact is the greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis). The goal of our research was the first report of the airborne fungi present in the close vicinity of hibernating M. myotis in the Nietoperek bat reserve (Western Poland) by the use of culture-based techniques and genetic and phenotypic identifications. Aerobiological investigations of mycobiota under hibernating bats were performed on two culture media (PDA and YPG) and at two incubation temperatures (7 and 24 ± 0.5 °C). Overall, we detected 32 fungal species from three phyla (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Zygomycota) and 12 genera. The application of YPG medium and the higher incubation temperature showed higher numbers of isolated fungal species and CFU. Penicillium spp. were dominant in the study, with spores found outside the underground hibernation site from 51.9% to 86.3% and from 56.7% to 100% inside the bat reserve. Penicillium chrysogenum was the most frequently isolated species, then Absidia glauca, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. tubingensis, Mortierella polycephala, Naganishia diffluens, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. Temperature, relative humidity, and the abundance of bats correlated positively with the concentration of airborne fungal propagules, between fungal species diversity, and the concentration of aeromycota, but the number of fungal species did not positively correlate with the number of bats. The air in the underground site was more contaminated by fungi than the air outside; however, the concentration of aeromycota does not pose a threat for human health. Nevertheless, hibernating bats contribute to an increase in the aeromycota and as a vector/reservoir of microscopic fungi, including those that may cause allergies and infections in mammals, and should be monitored.

Assessment of airborne Curvularia propagules in the atmosphere of Havana, Cuba

Even though the presence of Curvularia conidia in the tropical air and the role in respiratory allergy symptoms or plant diseases incidence has been reported, traditional aerobiological investigations usually do not consider their profound study. An aeromycological study of the Curvularia propagules in Havana was conducted during the years 2017 and 2018. Monitoring was carried out by means of volumetric viable and non-viable methodologies. Three types of microscopically identifiable airborne spores (Lunata, Geniculata and Maculans) were identified, according to their distinctive features (conidium shape, pigmentation, number and position of the septa), defined by optical microscopy with 400 × magnification. The spores of Curvularia showed prevalence during rainy months and were predominantly abundant through the daytime. The annual distribution showed the prevalence of the Lunata type, with a diurnal pattern and corroborated through the isolated species since all belonged to this morphological group. The average temperature and relative humidity, as well as the precipitations, correlated positively with the concentrations. The wind speed showed a negative correlation, which indicates that the climatic conditions of the Havana influence the aerobiological dynamics of airborne Curvularia propagules.

Dispersal patterns of meiospores shape population spatial structure of saxicolous lichens

AbstractRelationships between reproductive strategies and population spatial structure have often been suggested for lichens, but there is a lack of supporting aerobiological data. For the first time, this study couples aerobiological investigations on meiospore dispersal byCaloplaca crenulatella(Nyl.) H. Olivier andRhizocarpon geographicum(L.) DC. with analysis of local spatial patterns of thalli of both species. During a two-year monitoring period carried out on the walls of a medieval castle in NW Italy, a total of 169 polar diblastic spores, 20% of which were morphologically attributable toC. crenulatella, was detected in the mycoareosol, while muriform spores ofR. geographicumwere never found. Laboratory experiments confirmed that different dispersal patterns characterize the two species, the meiospores ofR. geographicumbeing poorly discharged and only recovered at a short distance from thalli, whereas those ofC. crenulatellawere more abundantly discharged, suspended and better dispersed by a moderate air flow. This difference was reflected on the castle walls by the random spatial pattern ofC. crenulatella, whileR. geographicumshowed a clustered distribution. Different discharge rates and take-off limitations, possibly related to size differences between the spores, are not sufficient to explain the different colonization patterns and dynamics of the two species. Additional intrinsic and extrinsic factors are likely to drive their dispersal and establishment success. Nevertheless, information on the relationships between different dispersal patterns of the species and the local spatial structure of their populations might help to predict the recovery potential of lichen species exposed to habitat loss or disturbance, or encrusting monument surfaces.

Assessment of Salix spp. pollen availability to insects based on aerobiological investigations

Pollen and nectar produced by flowers of species from the genus <em>Salix</em> are an important source of food for various insect groups in early spring. Most willows are entomophilous species; however, substantial amounts of airborne <em>Salix</em> pollen can be noted. The aim of the study was to evaluate the content of pollen of this taxon in the air of Lublin (central-east Poland) in 2001–2016 and to identify the period of its greatest availability to insects. In 2015, we compared the course of the <em>Salix</em> pollen season in Lublin (51°14'37" N; 22°32'25" E) and in the Roztoczański National Park (50°34'57" N; 23°04'24" E), Poland. We found that the date of the pollen season onset fluctuated greatly between March 16 and April 17. The greatest availability of <em>Salix</em> pollen to insects was noted from the end of the first 10-day-period of April to the first 10-day-period of May. The mean annual sum of airborne <em>Salix</em> pollen grains was 833. In Lublin, <em>Salix</em> pollen accounted for ca. 1.25% of the total airborne pollen content of different plant taxa. The investigations have demonstrated a 2-year cycle of <em>Salix</em> pollen abundance. The comparison of the pollen seasons in Lublin and in the Roztoczański National Park indicates that considerably greater amounts of pollen occur in the urban area than in the air of the Roztoczański National Park.

Insidious Risk of Severe Mycobacterium chimaera Infection in Cardiac Surgery Patients.

An urgent UK investigation was launched to assess risk of invasive Mycobacterium chimaera infection in cardiothoracic surgery and a possible association with cardiopulmonary bypass heater-cooler units following alerts in Switzerland and The Netherlands. Parallel investigations were pursued: (1) identification of cardiopulmonary bypass-associated M. chimaera infection through national laboratory and hospital admissions data linkage; (2) cohort study to assess patient risk; (3) microbiological and aerobiological investigations of heater-coolers in situ and under controlled laboratory conditions; and (4) whole-genome sequencing of clinical and environmental isolates. Eighteen probable cases of cardiopulmonary bypass-associated M. chimaera infection were identified; all except one occurred in adults. Patients had undergone valve replacement in 11 hospitals between 2007 and 2015, a median of 19 months prior to onset (range, 3 months to 5 years). Risk to patients increased after 2010 from <0.2 to 1.65 per 10000 person-years in 2013, a 9-fold rise for infections within 2 years of surgery (rate ratio, 9.08 [95% CI, 1.81-87.76]). Endocarditis was the most common presentation (n = 11). To date, 9 patients have died. Investigations identified aerosol release through breaches in heater-cooler tanks. Mycobacterium chimaera and other pathogens were recovered from water and air samples. Phylogenetic analysis found close clustering of strains from probable cases. We identified low but escalating risk of severe M. chimaera infection associated with heater-coolers with cases in a quarter of cardiothoracic centers. Our investigations strengthen etiological evidence for the role of heater-coolers in transmission and raise the possibility of an ongoing, international point-source outbreak. Active management of heater-coolers and heightened clinical awareness are imperative given the consequences of infection.

Changes in the pollen seasons of Acer spp. in Lublin, central-eastern Poland, in 2001–2015

&lt;p&gt;Many plant species respond to the climate change reported in the recent decades, which is confirmed by the results of phenological and aerobiological investigations. This paper presents characteristics of the pollen seasons of &lt;em&gt;Acer&lt;/em&gt; spp. revealed by aerobiological analyses performed with the volumetric method in Lublin, Poland in 2001–2015. Additionally, phenological observations of flowering of four &lt;em&gt;Acer&lt;/em&gt; species, i.e., &lt;em&gt;A. negundo&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;A. platanoides&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;A. campestre&lt;/em&gt;, and &lt;em&gt;A. pseudoplatanus&lt;/em&gt;, were carried out in 2011–2012.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The results indicate a slight upward trend in the annual totals of &lt;em&gt;Acer&lt;/em&gt; pollen grains. Over the last 10 years, the annual totals of &lt;em&gt;Acer&lt;/em&gt; pollen grains have increased in comparison to the previous 5-year period. Acceleration of the onset of pollen seasons and the dates of peak days was noted. The comparison of the pollen seasons and flowering phenology of four &lt;em&gt;Acer&lt;/em&gt; species indicates that &lt;em&gt;A. negundo&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;A. platanoides&lt;/em&gt; produce the highest concentrations of pollen grains, whereas the pollen of &lt;em&gt;A. campestre&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;A. pseudoplatanus&lt;/em&gt; accounts for a significantly lower proportion of the pollen content in the air of Lublin.&lt;/p&gt;

Aerobiological investigations inside repositories of the National Archive of the Republic of Cuba

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the microbial prevalence inside six repositories of the National Archive of the Republic of Cuba in 2 months of the year and to examine some of the physiological features of fungi isolated in order to evaluate their potential for biodeterioration. The microbiological sampling was conducted in February and September using a slit impactor as air sampler. Appropriate selective culture media were used to isolate fungi and bacteria. Temperature and relative humidity were measured during the samplings. The cellulolytic activity and the production of acids and pigments of the fungi isolated were qualitatively determined. Total viable microbiota and bacteria concentrations were greater in February while the fungal concentration was higher in September. Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Curvularia and Alternaria were the predominant fungal genera in February while Cladosporium prevailed in September, although Fusarium, Mucor and Neurospora genera were also isolated in this month. The fungi isolated were capable of degrading cellulose and excreting pigments and acids. The Gram-positive bacteria group prevailed in the air and Corynebacterium, Streptomyces, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Enterobacter and Serratia were some of the genera identified.

Aerobiological investigations applied to the conservation of cultural heritage

Aerobiological investigations of culturalheritage may be helpful in the choice of possibleintervention for the preventionof biological degradation of works of art.

Diurnal variation of chosen airborne pollen at five sites in Poland

The aerobiological investigations were carriedout at five sites located in different climaticand geobotanical regions in Poland. The diurnalperiodicity of Alnus, Betula, Secale,Poaceae, Urtica, and Artemisia wasstudied during two successive years. The taxawere chosen on the basis of pollen grainabundance and allergenity. The pollen wascollected with a Burkard spore trap. Twelvetransversal transverses of microscope slidescorresponding to two-hour periods wereanalysed. The diurnal variations ofPoaceae, Alnus and Betula were irregularand varied between sites and years; highconcentrations were observed at different hoursof the day and night. Diurnal concentrations of Secale, Urtica and Artemisia hadonly one maximum in the middle of the day,constant between sites and years. The lowestconcentrations were observed between eveningand early morning. There was no close relationbetween the time of the liberation ofAlnus, Betula and Poaceae pollen and thetime of the maximum pollen counts. There was aseveral hour delay observed between the timeof Secale pollen liberation and maximumconcentration of airborne pollen.

Myrothecium: A new indoor contaminant?

In the natural environmentMyrothecium species occur as soil or leaf surface saprobes or as weak plant pathogens. In addition, some species ofMyrothecium are known to produce trichothecene mycotoxins. During a previous aerobiological investigation at two Las Vegas elementary schools,Myrothecium conidia were found to be the second most abundant spore type identified indoors from Burkard personal spore trap samples. The present study was undertaken to re-examine the schools to locate the source ofMyrothecium spores and to examine the ability ofMyrothecium to grow on indoor substrates. There were no obvious signs of contamination in the classrooms; however,Myrothecium spores occurred on about 30% of the Burkard samples. Two colonies ofMyrothecium were identified from subcultures of the Andersen samples, and three colonies were identified from carpet dust samples. Culture studies showed that a strain ofMyrothecium cinctum was able to grow on various culture media as well as on various indoor substrates including paper, cardboard, wallpaper, ceiling tiles, dry wall, carpets and cotton rug. Although there was no attempt to estimate any human health risks, these investigations are believed to be the first to document abundantMyrothecium spores from indoor air samples.

Pathogenic and non-pathogenic mycoflora in the air and phylloplane ofTriticum aestivum L.

Aerobiological investigations were carried out over wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields near Barrackpore, West Bengal, India for two consecutive crop seasons. In 1990–91, except for the very seedling stage there was a more or less uniform spore count up to the maximum vegetative growth state and from flowering onwards, a gradual increase in total cfus was observed with the peak (331 CFUs) during the harvesting stage. In the second season, similar results were recorded where peak spore load (2064 CFUs) in the air was during harvesting operation followed by a sudden decline in the empty field.Cladosporium spp. dominated both the seasons mainly up to February.Penicillium, Curvularia, Aspergillus andCephalosporium were the most frequent non-pathogenic fungal types. Among the pathogenic fungi,Alternaria andDrechslera were recorded to be the most virulent to wheat crop, after inflorescence to later stages in both the seasons causing heavy leaf damage producing necrotic spots during which peak cfus were found.Fusarium was frequently found showing the peak during vegetative growth period.Sclerotium was more common in the second season than in the first season. High occurrence ofnigrospora was recorded in the earlier stages. Sterile forms' were found regularly. The phylloplane studies revealed thatCladosporium was the most dominant flora contributing 40–66% up to February in winter; gradually disappeared from the leaf surface with the onset of summer.Aspergillus andPenicillium showed the reverse picture. WhileCurvularia was isolated in high amount during later stages;Nigrospora mainly during the vegetative growth stages.Alternaria (caused Alternaria blight) andDrechslera were significantly isolated during harvesting (28.08%)and at late ‘grain maturation’ stage (80.10%), respectively.Sclerotium and ‘Sterile forms’ were recorded regularly unlikeFusarium andHelminthosporium.

Aerobiology in Russia and Neighbouring Countries, 1980–1993

Abstract Aerobiological investigations of the last ten years in the former USSR emphasised, preferentially the following problems: content of pollen in the air, pollen transport, and impact of pollen on the health of the human. Pollen grains which cause various allergic diseases have been the main object of extensive aerobiological studies. Ado and his collaborators have made valuable contributions to Aerobiology in the former USSR (Ado 1978, 1980, 1989, 1990; Ado & Gubankova, 1979 a, b). Their investigations confirmed the existence of a correlation between the number of allergic patients and the concentration of pollen grains in the atmosphere, and some peculiarities of the allergic diseases prevalent in towns. Later, aerobiology was elaborated by the investigations of Kobzar (1987), Kobzar & Kharitonova (1990), Kobzar et al. (1990, 1991), etc. The possibility of airborne pollen grains as indicators of environmental contamination and pollution levels was demonstrated. Various data show the periods during which pollen grains are present in atmosphere, their peaks and the levels of concentration which are able to cause allergies in the territory of the former USSR.

Enumeration of airborne molds in some indoor environments of Madras city (India) by cultural and non-cultural volumetric samplers

The air mycoflora of six indoor environments in Madras city (India) has been investigated by sampling air with an Andersen sampler and a Burkard personal sampler. Forty-eight species assignable to 24 genera were recorded by Andersen sampler. Spores belonging to 14 genera in addition toPenicillium andAspergillus were identified from Burkard trap slides. Species ofAspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor andRhizopus were most frequently isolated in considerable numbers. As a single genusAspergillus ranked first followed byPenicillium at some sites, andCladosporium at some other sites. The predominance ofPenicillium andAspergillus was also confirmed by Burkard trap data. Spores belonging toGanoderma, Nigrospora, Epicoccum, andTetraploa were recorded only by Burkard sampler, thereby suggesting the necessity of using two complimentary spore traps, cultural and non-cultural, in any aerobiological investigation.

Aerobiological investigation of occupational respiratory allergy in agriculture in the U.K.

Abstract Asthma and allergic alveolitis account for about one third of the total number (2000 plus) of cases of work-related respiratory disease reported annually in the U.K. The majority of cases of occupational asthma are caused by chemical agents, but a significant number of the remainder result from inhalation of biological agents, such as those encountered in agriculture. A wide range of activities can result in exposure to organic dusts and associated microorganisms. These include handling mouldy hay and grains, fruit and vegetables, processing wastes, including compost making for mushroom growing and tending animals in confined facilities. To determine the incidence of occupational respiratory allergy in agriculture, to study aetiology and risk factors and, ultimately, to establish dose response relationships, requires input from a wide range of disciplines including clinicians, immunologists, microbiologists and aerobiologists. The link between what a farm worker breathes in and development of dis...

An Improved Slit Sampler for Aerobiological Investigations

The slit sampler described by Bourdillon, Lidwell, and Thomas (1) is based on impingement of particles on the agar surface of petri plates as air is drawn through a slit. Agar plates are rotated on a turntable with the agar surface 2 mm from the slit. By means of a laboratory pump 1 CFM (cubic ft. per. min.) of air is drawn through the apparatus, and the rate of flow is adjusted by a manometer. The sampler was designed for quantitative determination of numbers of bacteria in relatively quiet indoor air. The apparatus was found to be satisfactory also for sampling outside air and was used in aerobiological studies conducted by the author and Dr. C. D. Kelly at McGill University on the fungal and bacterial floras of the air. At first only petri-plates were used in the slit sampler, but it was discovered that silicone-coated slides could be used for sampling the air for fungus spores (3, 4, 5). When the author moved to Kansas State College in 1952, it was decided to continue aerobiological sampling with special emphasis on fungus spores of the air, the so-called spora according to Gregory (2), and particularly those of plant pathogens. Since the Bourdillon sampler is not available commercially, it was decided to construct a slit sampler. A sampler was constructed by D. A. Rittis of the Physics Department, Kansas State College, and is known as the PadyRittis modification of Bourdillon's slit sampler, or simply as the PadyRittis sampler. A description of the sampler is given in this paper with the technical details of construction in the appendix.