Incidence of allergenically significant fungal aerosol in a rural bakery of West Bengal, India

Allergenicity assessment of fungal species using immunoclinical and proteomic techniques: a study on Fusarium lateritium

Airborne fungal spores are extensively reported as the elicitors of respiratory allergies in human. Fusarium lateritium is one such fungal species reported for eliciting significant skin prick results from India. The present study aims to analyze the allergenic potential of F. lateritium followed by the identification of allergens. The total protein of F. lateritium was subjected to 1dimensional (1D) and 2D gel electrophoresis followed by corresponding IgE-specific immunoblots. We found 8 immunoreactive bands/zones in (1D) immunoblot using 11 F. lateritium-sensitised patient sera. In 1D immunoblot, a 34 kDa band was detected in >80% of the patients and hence considered as a potential allergen of F. lateritium. Corresponding 34 kDa spot in 2D-immunoblot was analyzed by mass spectrometric analysis and identified as Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. The identified F. lateritium allergen holds the potential to instigate vaccine development for immunotherapy of F. lateritium sensitized patients.

Monitoring of airborne fungal spore load in relation to meteorological factors, air pollutants and allergic symptoms in Farakka, an unexplored biozone of eastern India

Fungi are important components of atmosphere which play a major role in causing respiratory allergy upon inhalation. An airborne fungal spore survey was carried out in two outdoor environments in Farakka-an unexplored township covering the National Thermal Power Station, West Bengal, India for a period of 2 years (October 2013 to September 2015). A Burkard personal volumetric air sampler was used at 15 days interval to collect the total fungal spore load. A fungal spore calendar has been prepared depicting monthly average spore concentration in the air. The relationships between fungal spore concentration and different climatic factors were analysed statistically. Higher concentration levels of aerospora and pollutants were recorded during winter season. A detailed questionnaire was used to obtain medical history data of 523 local patients visiting the outpatients department of Farakka NTPC (National Thermal Power Station) hospital. A significant positive correlation was found between fungal spore concentration, atmospheric pollutants and allergic manifestation. The dominant fungal spores were isolated, sub-cultured and tested for allergenic potential by skin prick tests (SPTs) among subjects with clinical history of respiratory allergy, which evoked ˃45.0% skin reactivity upon individuals.

Indoor fungal concentration in the homes of allergic/asthmatic children in Delhi, India

Allergy to fungi has been linked to a wide range of illnesses, including rhinitis and asthma. Therefore, exposure to fungi in home environment is an important factor for fungal allergy. The present study was aimed to investigate types of airborne fungi inside and outside the homes of asthmatic children and control subjects (nonasthmatic children). The dominant fungi were evaluated for their quantitative distribution and seasonal variation. The air samples were collected from indoors and immediate outdoors of 77 selected homes of children suffering from bronchial asthma/allergic rhinitis using Andersen volumetric air sampler. The isolated fungal genera/species were identified using reference literature, and statistical analysis of the dominant fungi was performed to study the difference in fungal concentration between indoor and immediate outdoor sites as well as in between different seasons. A total of 4423 air samples were collected from two indoor and immediate outdoor sites in a 1-year survey of 77 homes. This resulted in the isolation of an average of 110,091 and 107,070 fungal colonies per metric cube of air from indoor and outdoor sites, respectively. A total of 68 different molds were identified. Different species of Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Penicillium were found to be the most prevalent fungi in Delhi homes, which constituted 88.6% of the total colonies indoors. Highest concentration was registered in autumn and winter months. Total as well as dominant fungi displayed statistically significant differences among the four seasons (p < 0.001). The largest number of isolations were the species of Aspergillus (>40% to total colony-forming units in indoors as well as outdoors) followed by Cladosporium spp. Annual concentration of Aspergillus spp. was significantly higher (p < 0.05) inside the homes when compared with outdoors. Most of the fungi also occurred at a significantly higher (p < 0.001) rate inside the homes when compared with immediate outdoors. Asthmatic children in Delhi are exposed to a substantial concentration of mold inside their homes as well as immediate outdoor air. The considerable seasonal distributions of fungi provide valuable data for investigation of the role of fungal exposure as a risk for respiratory disorders among patients suffering from allergy or asthma in Delhi.

Health effects of Aspergillus in food and air

This review summarizes the health aspects of the medically important fungal genus Aspergillus. The morphology and systematics of the genus are explained as well as its biogeography. Major mycotoxins, the aspergilli that produce them, affected crops, and symptoms of the toxicoses are summarized, as are the major mycoses caused by aspergilli. The current status of the relationship between Aspergillus in the indoor environment and health issues are discussed.