Assessment of the seasonal dynamics of allergenic fungi in the air of urban environments

Khaldeeva E.V., Vasilyeva E.G.

Kazan research Institute of epidemiology and microbiology of Rospotrebnadzor, Kazan, Russia

The study researches seasonal dynamics of the allergenic fungi in the urban environment atmospheric air. 240 samples selected in four urban environment locations were investigated, confirming seasonal concentration variations of fungi in the atmospheric air - significantly decreasing in winter and reaching maximum values in August-September. Species of Penicillium were detected in 75.0%, Alternaria spp. – in 73.3% , Cladosporium spp. – in 50.0%, Aspergillus spp. – in 40.0%, Fusarium spp. – in 35.4% of the samples. The frequency of detection of Penicillium spp., Alternaria spp., Fusarium spp. and Cladosporium spp. varies insignificantly across all locations. The sampling data suggests that in urban locations with low and moderate levels of landscaping, the concentration of Alternaria spp. and Cladosporium spp. increases in the period from March to September, concentration of Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. fluctuates slightly, and the concentration of Penicillium spp. decreases by autumn. The findings confirm the correlation of the average concentration of allergenic fungal spores in the air with meteorological parameters, in particular, air temperature and relative humidity.