Allergenic fungi spore records and sensitization in asthmatics in Greece

Epidemiological surveys support that asthma affects 5-30% of children and 2-30% of adults [1, 2]. This wide range of inter-survey fluctuation is mainly due to the different geographic distribution and to the use of different criteria among studies. Researchers characterize it as “a chronic allergic disease of airways” [3]. Rhinitis affects 40% of the population. The term respiratory allergy refers to clinical manifestations of both upper and lower respiratory tract due to allergy and is extensively used by scientists worldwide. It is well established that inhalation of fungi spores induces respiratory allergy symptoms in sensitized individuals; among all patients suffering from respiratory allergy symptoms, 20-30% of them are sensitized to fungi spores [4]. These symptoms are clinically manifested as Summary Backround: The prevalence of respiratory allergy to fungi spores (FS) is not precisely known but is estimated at 20-30% of atopic patients. There are no aerobiological records, necessary for respiratory allergy diagnosis and treatment, in Thessaloniki and generally in Greece. Aim: Creation of a database on FS circulation and investigation of skin sensitivity (SS) of asthmatics by using skin prick tests (SPT). Material and methods: Daily records and identification of 15 airborne FS species were conducted, using a Burkard trap during 1987-2001. SS to 5 most common FS extracts was investigated, by using SPT in a total of 1311 asthmatics with atopy, submitted to the Out-Patient Clinic of Asthma (Pulmonary Dept, Aristotle Univ, Thessaloniki) in1990-2001. Results: The FS recorded in the 15-year period were as follows: Cladosporium spp. (72.2%), Alternaria spp. (9.8%), Ustilago spp. (8.1%), Ascospores (2.7%), Agrocybe spp. (1.5%), Helminthosporium spp. (1.4%), Leptosphaeria spp (1.2%), Agrogybe spp. (1.1%), whereas the species Botrytis, Stemphylium, Pleospora, Nigrospora, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Torula and Phoma presented concentrations <1%. The highest numbers of airborne FS were recorded during summer. Positive skin reaction to FS was observed in 421 (32%) patients of the 1311 asthmatics. Positive skin reaction to Alternaria species was observed in 177 patients (13.5%), in 98 (7.4%) to Cladosporium, 65 (5%) to Aspergillus, 45 (3.4%) to Fusarium and 36 (2.7%) to Rhizopus. FS sensitivity is much more frequent in younger men. Conclusions: For the first time in Thessaloniki-Greece, 15 allergenic FS species circulation has been recorded for the last 15 years. SS was more frequently detected for the species of Alternaria, Cladosporium and Aspergillus.