- Email: [email protected]
Fungal Presence in Typical Midwest Homes
S112 Abstracts
436
Fungal Presence in Typical Midwest Homes
SUNDAY
C. S. Barnes, K. Wagoner, F. HU, L. D. Johnson, K. Kennedy, J. M. Portnoy; Allergy/Asthma/Immunology, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO. RATIONALE: Fungi are in nearly all indoor environments. The number and genera of indoor fungi in typical households is in question. Our aim is to investigate fungal levels in typical Midwest homes. METHODS: Subject households were recruited from the Kansas City area. Parents of asthmatic children referred friends whose children had no respiratory disease. Households containing minimum 3 persons (at least one child) without history of respiratory disease (asthma, etc) were enrolled. Non-viable and viable air samples were taken. Dust samples were taken for evaluation of fungal allergens by immunoassay. RESULTS: There were 20 homes recruited and 19 were sampled. There was an average of 3.7 persons per household. Most of the homes were single family with basements. All were heated with gas forced air, 90% had central air and about 45% of the floor space was carpeted. Cladosporium was the most common viable spore (100% of homes) and Aspergillus/Penicillium was the most numerous viable spore (median 134 CFU/ M3). Cladosporium was the most common non-viable spore (100% of homes) and the most numerous spore type (mean 500/ M3). The mean of the mean spore level for all collections in these homes was 1043/ M3 with a 95% CI of 274 to 1811. Detectable levels of Cladosporium, Aspergillus and Penicillium antigenic material was found in all dust samples. CONCLUSIONS: There is a low but ubiquitous level of fungal spores in typical homes from the Midwestern US. The upper end of the 95% CI for nonviable spores in these houses is around 2000/ M3. Funding: Clorox Corporation Typical Outdoor Levels of Airborne Non-Viable Fungal Spores Collected at the Ground Level During the Spring and Early Summer in Florida R. Codina, J. J. Mele, L. S. Cohen, Jr.; Environmental, SDII Global Corporation, Tampa, FL. RATIONALE: Ground-level air samples (GLAS) are collected during the course of building evaluations to determine types and levels of nonviable fungal spores (NVFS) indoors versus outdoors. However, outdoor reference levels of NVFS collected in GLAS are limited. This is a study to determine these levels during the spring and early summer in Florida. METHODS: 234 outdoor GLAS were collected for NVFS analysis from April to July 2005 in Florida, utilizing a Zefon Bio-PumpTM and Air-OCell cassettesTM. These samples were analyzed by optical microscopy. Non-parametric statistical analysis was performed. Percentile categories were established for continuous variables, according to the criteria proposed by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology National Allergy Bureau, as low (<50th), moderate (50th-75th), high (75th-99th), and very high (>99th). RESULTS: Total spores as well as individual Ascospores, Basidiospores, Cladosporium, and Penicillium/Aspergillus follow continuous distributions. Low, moderate, high, and very high levels (in spores/m3) of total spores are <4,813; 4,813-8,164; 8,165-108,509; and >108,509, respectively. The corresponding individual Ascospore levels are <1,117; 1,1172,206; 2,207-12,975; and >12,975, respectively. Basidiospore levels are <1,064; 1,064-2,506; 2,507-23,861; and >23,861, respectively. Cladosporium levels are <744; 744-1,635; 1,636-19,278; and >19,278, respectively. Penicillium/Aspergillus levels are <650; 650-1,076; 1,077-14,887; and >14,887, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of the most common types of outdoor NVFS collected in GLAS during the spring and early summer in Florida have scattered distributions. Year-round studies in Florida and other locations are needed to refine these reference levels during different seasons. This information would facilitate the interpretation of laboratory reports generated during the course of building evaluations. Funding: SDII Global Corporation
437
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL FEBRUARY 2006
Description of Platanus (London Plane Tree) Pollen Levels and Pollen Sensitization in an Australian Population P. K. Burton1,2; 1Immunology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, AUSTRALIA, 2Department of Clinical Immunlogy/Allergy, Immunology/ Allergy, Sydney, AUSTRALIA. RATIONALE: There is community concern regarding the risk of allergic reaction from Plane tree pollen in the city centre of Sydney, where Plane tree plantings are very common. We sought to characterise the length and severity of the plane tree pollen season and to characterise skin test reactivity to the pollen in a group of atopic individuals with respiratory symptoms. METHODS: Pollen Counts: Agrobiologic monitoring was performed using a Burkard 7 day volumatic spore trap with data expressed as pollen grains per cubic metre over a 24 hour period and were graphed against weather parameters. Skin Testing: Over a 2-month period, 78 patients presenting with respiratory symptoms were tested with a battery of common aeroallergens and plant-derived food allergens (stalleregenes). RESULTS: Pollen: Perfect positive rank correlations (=1) were observed at the Westmead aeroallergen monitoring site between total springtime pollen and both winter and springtime rainfall (p<0.01). Skin prick test Results: Of 78 patients tested, 23/76 were non atopic.13/55 atopic individuals (23.6%) tested positive to Platanus and of those, 92% were positive to other pollen and 69% reacted to at least one plant derived food extract. CONCLUSIONS: As found in other cities, a number of individuals react to plane tree pollen. Further studies are underway to correlate symptoms score with airborne pollen levels as reliance on skin testing alone may be unreliable because of cross reactivity among pollen and plant-derived food allergens. Funding: Department of Immunology/Allergy
438
Epidemiology and Aerobiology of Ambrosia Artemisiifolia between 1988 to 2004 F. Della Torre1, A. Limonta2, A. Molinari3, P. Benaglio3, S. Vercelloni3, E. Della Torre2; 1Pneumologic Department(Chief dr.E.Marchi), INRCA, Casatenovo (LC), ITALY, 2Pneumologic Department, INRCA, Casatenovo (LC), ITALY, 3Pubblic Health Laboratory, ASL LECCO, Oggiono (LC), ITALY. RATIONALE: Allergy to Ambrosia has long been a phenomenon restricted to Northen America. In the early 1980’s, an increasing number of sensitizations started to be reported also in Central Europe. METHODS: We studied the change of epidemiology and pollen counts between 1988 to 2004 in a hilly area north to Milan. The date of first and final pollen capture and the date with maximum airborne pollen concentration (peak date) collected with a volumetric sampler were used to study the ragweed pollen seasons. In the same years we evaluated in our allergologic department 26551 subjects by a standard questionnaire and skin prick tests with common environmental aeroallergens. RESULTS: Every season possessed similar blossom peak date, lowest concentration in 1989 ( 30 gr/m3) and highest in 1999 (130gr/m3); achieving maximum airborne pollen concentration in the late August or early September. 56,3% of patients were sensitized to pollens, 1.99% .turned out positive to Ragweed pollen, with the lowest percentage 0,74% in 1994 and the highest 7,25 % in 2004. We found a very low monosensitivity to Ragweed pollen alone 11,6% among the patients positive to Ragweed. Most patients 58,2% suffered both oculo-rhinitis and bronchial asthma, 36,3% oculo-rhinitis and 5,5% bronchial asthma symptoms alone. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests what time of year is most critical for ragweed sensitive individuals in our location and that there is a little increase of this pollinosis.
439
436
Fungal Presence in Typical Midwest Homes
SUNDAY
C. S. Barnes, K. Wagoner, F. HU, L. D. Johnson, K. Kennedy, J. M. Portnoy; Allergy/Asthma/Immunology, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO. RATIONALE: Fungi are in nearly all indoor environments. The number and genera of indoor fungi in typical households is in question. Our aim is to investigate fungal levels in typical Midwest homes. METHODS: Subject households were recruited from the Kansas City area. Parents of asthmatic children referred friends whose children had no respiratory disease. Households containing minimum 3 persons (at least one child) without history of respiratory disease (asthma, etc) were enrolled. Non-viable and viable air samples were taken. Dust samples were taken for evaluation of fungal allergens by immunoassay. RESULTS: There were 20 homes recruited and 19 were sampled. There was an average of 3.7 persons per household. Most of the homes were single family with basements. All were heated with gas forced air, 90% had central air and about 45% of the floor space was carpeted. Cladosporium was the most common viable spore (100% of homes) and Aspergillus/Penicillium was the most numerous viable spore (median 134 CFU/ M3). Cladosporium was the most common non-viable spore (100% of homes) and the most numerous spore type (mean 500/ M3). The mean of the mean spore level for all collections in these homes was 1043/ M3 with a 95% CI of 274 to 1811. Detectable levels of Cladosporium, Aspergillus and Penicillium antigenic material was found in all dust samples. CONCLUSIONS: There is a low but ubiquitous level of fungal spores in typical homes from the Midwestern US. The upper end of the 95% CI for nonviable spores in these houses is around 2000/ M3. Funding: Clorox Corporation Typical Outdoor Levels of Airborne Non-Viable Fungal Spores Collected at the Ground Level During the Spring and Early Summer in Florida R. Codina, J. J. Mele, L. S. Cohen, Jr.; Environmental, SDII Global Corporation, Tampa, FL. RATIONALE: Ground-level air samples (GLAS) are collected during the course of building evaluations to determine types and levels of nonviable fungal spores (NVFS) indoors versus outdoors. However, outdoor reference levels of NVFS collected in GLAS are limited. This is a study to determine these levels during the spring and early summer in Florida. METHODS: 234 outdoor GLAS were collected for NVFS analysis from April to July 2005 in Florida, utilizing a Zefon Bio-PumpTM and Air-OCell cassettesTM. These samples were analyzed by optical microscopy. Non-parametric statistical analysis was performed. Percentile categories were established for continuous variables, according to the criteria proposed by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology National Allergy Bureau, as low (<50th), moderate (50th-75th), high (75th-99th), and very high (>99th). RESULTS: Total spores as well as individual Ascospores, Basidiospores, Cladosporium, and Penicillium/Aspergillus follow continuous distributions. Low, moderate, high, and very high levels (in spores/m3) of total spores are <4,813; 4,813-8,164; 8,165-108,509; and >108,509, respectively. The corresponding individual Ascospore levels are <1,117; 1,1172,206; 2,207-12,975; and >12,975, respectively. Basidiospore levels are <1,064; 1,064-2,506; 2,507-23,861; and >23,861, respectively. Cladosporium levels are <744; 744-1,635; 1,636-19,278; and >19,278, respectively. Penicillium/Aspergillus levels are <650; 650-1,076; 1,077-14,887; and >14,887, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of the most common types of outdoor NVFS collected in GLAS during the spring and early summer in Florida have scattered distributions. Year-round studies in Florida and other locations are needed to refine these reference levels during different seasons. This information would facilitate the interpretation of laboratory reports generated during the course of building evaluations. Funding: SDII Global Corporation
437
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL FEBRUARY 2006
Description of Platanus (London Plane Tree) Pollen Levels and Pollen Sensitization in an Australian Population P. K. Burton1,2; 1Immunology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, AUSTRALIA, 2Department of Clinical Immunlogy/Allergy, Immunology/ Allergy, Sydney, AUSTRALIA. RATIONALE: There is community concern regarding the risk of allergic reaction from Plane tree pollen in the city centre of Sydney, where Plane tree plantings are very common. We sought to characterise the length and severity of the plane tree pollen season and to characterise skin test reactivity to the pollen in a group of atopic individuals with respiratory symptoms. METHODS: Pollen Counts: Agrobiologic monitoring was performed using a Burkard 7 day volumatic spore trap with data expressed as pollen grains per cubic metre over a 24 hour period and were graphed against weather parameters. Skin Testing: Over a 2-month period, 78 patients presenting with respiratory symptoms were tested with a battery of common aeroallergens and plant-derived food allergens (stalleregenes). RESULTS: Pollen: Perfect positive rank correlations (=1) were observed at the Westmead aeroallergen monitoring site between total springtime pollen and both winter and springtime rainfall (p<0.01). Skin prick test Results: Of 78 patients tested, 23/76 were non atopic.13/55 atopic individuals (23.6%) tested positive to Platanus and of those, 92% were positive to other pollen and 69% reacted to at least one plant derived food extract. CONCLUSIONS: As found in other cities, a number of individuals react to plane tree pollen. Further studies are underway to correlate symptoms score with airborne pollen levels as reliance on skin testing alone may be unreliable because of cross reactivity among pollen and plant-derived food allergens. Funding: Department of Immunology/Allergy
438
Epidemiology and Aerobiology of Ambrosia Artemisiifolia between 1988 to 2004 F. Della Torre1, A. Limonta2, A. Molinari3, P. Benaglio3, S. Vercelloni3, E. Della Torre2; 1Pneumologic Department(Chief dr.E.Marchi), INRCA, Casatenovo (LC), ITALY, 2Pneumologic Department, INRCA, Casatenovo (LC), ITALY, 3Pubblic Health Laboratory, ASL LECCO, Oggiono (LC), ITALY. RATIONALE: Allergy to Ambrosia has long been a phenomenon restricted to Northen America. In the early 1980’s, an increasing number of sensitizations started to be reported also in Central Europe. METHODS: We studied the change of epidemiology and pollen counts between 1988 to 2004 in a hilly area north to Milan. The date of first and final pollen capture and the date with maximum airborne pollen concentration (peak date) collected with a volumetric sampler were used to study the ragweed pollen seasons. In the same years we evaluated in our allergologic department 26551 subjects by a standard questionnaire and skin prick tests with common environmental aeroallergens. RESULTS: Every season possessed similar blossom peak date, lowest concentration in 1989 ( 30 gr/m3) and highest in 1999 (130gr/m3); achieving maximum airborne pollen concentration in the late August or early September. 56,3% of patients were sensitized to pollens, 1.99% .turned out positive to Ragweed pollen, with the lowest percentage 0,74% in 1994 and the highest 7,25 % in 2004. We found a very low monosensitivity to Ragweed pollen alone 11,6% among the patients positive to Ragweed. Most patients 58,2% suffered both oculo-rhinitis and bronchial asthma, 36,3% oculo-rhinitis and 5,5% bronchial asthma symptoms alone. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests what time of year is most critical for ragweed sensitive individuals in our location and that there is a little increase of this pollinosis.
439