Abstract
Fungal spores make up a significant proportion of organic matter within the air. Allergic sensitisation to fungi is associated with conditions including allergic fungal airway disease. This systematic review analyses outdoor fungal spore seasonality across Europe and considers the implications for health. Seventy-four studies met the inclusion criteria, the majority of which (n = 64) were observational sampling studies published between 1978 and 2020. The most commonly reported genera were the known allergens Alternaria and Cladosporium, measured in 52 and 49 studies, respectively. Both displayed statistically significant increased season length in south-westerly (Mediterranean) versus north-easterly (Atlantic and Continental) regions. Although there was a trend for reduced peak or annual Alternaria and Cladosporium spore concentrations in more northernly locations, this was not statistically significant. Peak spore concentrations of Alternaria and Cladosporium exceeded clinical thresholds in nearly all locations, with median peak concentrations of 665 and 18,827 per m3, respectively. Meteorological variables, predominantly temperature, precipitation and relative humidity, were the main factors associated with fungal seasonality. Land-use was identified as another important factor, particularly proximity to agricultural and coastal areas. While correlations of increased season length or decreased annual spore concentrations with increasing average temperatures were reported in multi-decade sampling studies, the number of such studies was too small to make any definitive conclusions. Further, up-to-date studies covering underrepresented geographical regions and fungal taxa (including the use of modern molecular techniques), and the impact of land-use and climate change will help address remaining knowledge gaps. Such knowledge will help to better understand fungal allergy, develop improved fungal spore calendars and forecasts with greater geographical coverage, and promote increased awareness and management strategies for those with allergic fungal disease.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 151716 |
Journal | Science of the Total Environment, The |
Volume | 818 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 20 Apr 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:SA is a recipient of a Medical Research Council (MRC) - Integrative Toxicology Training Partnership (ITTP) studentship (2019?2023). CHP is supported by the Midlands Asthma and Allergy Research Association (MAARA) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre. The research was supported by the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health, a partnership between the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the University of Leicester. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the MRC, MAARA, NIHR, NHS, UKHSA, HSE, or University of Leicester.
Funding Information:
SA is a recipient of a Medical Research Council (MRC) - Integrative Toxicology Training Partnership (ITTP) studentship (2019–2023). CHP is supported by the Midlands Asthma and Allergy Research Association (MAARA) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre. The research was supported by the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health, a partnership between the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the University of Leicester . The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the MRC, MAARA, NIHR, NHS, UKHSA, HSE, or University of Leicester.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021
Keywords
- Aerobiology
- Alternaria
- Cladosporium
- Fungi
- Outdoor air
- Season