AIRBORNE FUNGAL SPORES IN A SUBURBAN AREA OF EASTERN INDIA WITH REFERENCE TO THEIR ALLERGENIC POTENTIAL AND EFFECT ON ASTHMA-RELATED HOSPITALIZATION

摘要

Incidence of fungal spores in the atmosphere of a suburban area of West Bengal, India, near India-Bangladesh border was monitored qualitatively and quantitatively with Burkard personal volumetric sampler (for overall spore count) and Andersen two-stage sampler (for viable spores) for two years (2012-2013). The seasonal periodicities of fungal spores were recorded microscopically. A total of 46 fungal spore types were recorded with different patterns of seasonal periodicities. For overall spore types,the calendar showed two peak seasons (February-March and September-October) with maximum contribution of Aspergilli-Penicilli group (14.83%). Among the 25 viable fungal species of 10 genera, highest contribution was recorded by Aspergillus nidulans (12.32%), followed by others. In allergy clinic, skin reaction tests (n = 565) were performed with antigenic extracts of 1 5 spore members, and highest sensitivity was recordedfor Aspergillus fumigatus (40.80%) followed by A. niger (38.09%). The allergenic potential of the fungal spore types were confirmed by specific IgE ELISA and histamine release assay using blood samples of sensitive patients. In statistical analysis, total airborne fungal spores, as well as individual spore types like Cladosporium, Ganoderma, Alternaria alternate!, Aspergillus ustus, A. nidulans showed positive correlation (p<0.05) with asthma-related hospitalization of the study area during survey period (n = 3377). The results provide updated information on diversity and periodicities of airborne fungal spores in suburban Eastern India with their allergenic importance in local population. This is the first report to highlight the association of allergenic fungal spores in the atmosphere with asthma related hospitalization of the region.