Allergenic fungal spore concentrations in the atmosphere of Bursa, Turkey

Abstract

The daily distribution of allergic fungal spores for Bursa during 1999 was established using a 7-day volumetric Lanzoni trap. Ten of the important allergic fungal spores (Cladosporium sp., Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp. / Penicillum sp., Fusarium sp., Epicoccum sp., Drechslera sp., Pithomyces sp., Stemphylium sp., Chaetomium sp. and Curvularia sp.) were identified. The dominant spore types detected were Cladosporium 88.11%, Alternaria 4.99%, Aspergillus / Penicillum 4.65%., Fusarium 0.84%, Epicoccum 0.62%, Drechslera 0.24%, Pithomyces 0.15%, Stemphylium 0.14%, Chaetomium 0.13% and Curvularia 0.13%. Spore levels of Cladosporium, Alternaria and Aspergillus / Penicillum peaked throughout the year. Fusarium April- June, Epicoccum June-August, Dreschlera July, September, Pithomycetes March, June and August, Stemphylium June-July, Chatemium May, July, Curvularia peaked July. In conclusion, a range of allergenic fungal spores were present in the air of Bursa throughout the year.