Association of molds and metrological parameters to frequency of severe asthma exacerbation
Abstract Background Sensitization to airborne molds may be a risk factor for severe asthma and direct cause of asthma exacerbation (AE). Methods A prospective, 1-year (April 2016–March 2017) study, done in Kuwait Allergy Centre, investigated the link between AEs with exposure to outdoor molds and th...
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doaj-b841f66a9eb545e698a79e6f55a1e9ae2020-11-25T04:03:23ZengBMCAllergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology1710-14922019-04-011511910.1186/s13223-019-0323-8Association of molds and metrological parameters to frequency of severe asthma exacerbationMona Al-Ahmad0Edin Jusufovic1Nermina Arifhodzic2Tito Rodriguez3Jasmina Nurkic4Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait UniversityMedical Faculty, University of TuzlaAl-Rashed Allergy Center, Ministry of HealthAl-Rashed Allergy Center, Ministry of HealthAl-Rashed Allergy Center, Ministry of HealthAbstract Background Sensitization to airborne molds may be a risk factor for severe asthma and direct cause of asthma exacerbation (AE). Methods A prospective, 1-year (April 2016–March 2017) study, done in Kuwait Allergy Centre, investigated the link between AEs with exposure to outdoor molds and the role of meteorological parameters in mold sensitized patients and compared with non-allergic asthma patients who had asthma deterioration. The total of 676 adult asthmatics with moderate-severe AEs were included and divided into atopic (85.65%) and non-atopic group. Atopy was defined by positive skin prick test (SPT) to at least one inhalant allergen. Data regarding atopy and asthma severity were collected from patient’s records. Patients with symptoms and signs of acute respiratory infection and patient sensitized to indoor allergens only were excluded. Daily count of local pollens (Salsola kali, Bermuda grass) and molds (Aspergillus, Alternaria and Cladosporium) were obtained from the Aerobiology department. Daily metrological parameters (atmospheric pressure-AP, temperature-T and relative humidity-RH) were provided by Kuwait Environment Public Authority. Count of spores/m3 and weather variable are shown on weekly basis. The year circle was divided into 4 Seasons (1, 2, 3, 4) accordingly to typical desert climate. Results Sensitization to molds was relatively high but significantly less (25.0%) if compared to the pollens sensitization. The highest number of AEs was in season 4 for both molds and pollens sensitized patients. Seasonal patterns for both allergens were significant and positively correlated with RH and AP. In season 1 only, mold sensitized patients showed higher rate of AEs. Non-atopic patients have been less sensitive to increased RH than atopic. Negative correlation with T was similar in both atopic and non-atopic patients. Conclusion Despite of high rate of sensitization to molds, their significant role in triggering AE was not found in desert environment. Typical desert climate and high allergencity of local weeds outweigh the influence of the molds.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13223-019-0323-8Asthma exacerbationMoldsMeteorological parameters |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Mona Al-Ahmad Edin Jusufovic Nermina Arifhodzic Tito Rodriguez Jasmina Nurkic |
spellingShingle |
Mona Al-Ahmad Edin Jusufovic Nermina Arifhodzic Tito Rodriguez Jasmina Nurkic Association of molds and metrological parameters to frequency of severe asthma exacerbation Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology Asthma exacerbation Molds Meteorological parameters |
author_facet |
Mona Al-Ahmad Edin Jusufovic Nermina Arifhodzic Tito Rodriguez Jasmina Nurkic |
author_sort |
Mona Al-Ahmad |
title |
Association of molds and metrological parameters to frequency of severe asthma exacerbation |
title_short |
Association of molds and metrological parameters to frequency of severe asthma exacerbation |
title_full |
Association of molds and metrological parameters to frequency of severe asthma exacerbation |
title_fullStr |
Association of molds and metrological parameters to frequency of severe asthma exacerbation |
title_full_unstemmed |
Association of molds and metrological parameters to frequency of severe asthma exacerbation |
title_sort |
association of molds and metrological parameters to frequency of severe asthma exacerbation |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology |
issn |
1710-1492 |
publishDate |
2019-04-01 |
description |
Abstract Background Sensitization to airborne molds may be a risk factor for severe asthma and direct cause of asthma exacerbation (AE). Methods A prospective, 1-year (April 2016–March 2017) study, done in Kuwait Allergy Centre, investigated the link between AEs with exposure to outdoor molds and the role of meteorological parameters in mold sensitized patients and compared with non-allergic asthma patients who had asthma deterioration. The total of 676 adult asthmatics with moderate-severe AEs were included and divided into atopic (85.65%) and non-atopic group. Atopy was defined by positive skin prick test (SPT) to at least one inhalant allergen. Data regarding atopy and asthma severity were collected from patient’s records. Patients with symptoms and signs of acute respiratory infection and patient sensitized to indoor allergens only were excluded. Daily count of local pollens (Salsola kali, Bermuda grass) and molds (Aspergillus, Alternaria and Cladosporium) were obtained from the Aerobiology department. Daily metrological parameters (atmospheric pressure-AP, temperature-T and relative humidity-RH) were provided by Kuwait Environment Public Authority. Count of spores/m3 and weather variable are shown on weekly basis. The year circle was divided into 4 Seasons (1, 2, 3, 4) accordingly to typical desert climate. Results Sensitization to molds was relatively high but significantly less (25.0%) if compared to the pollens sensitization. The highest number of AEs was in season 4 for both molds and pollens sensitized patients. Seasonal patterns for both allergens were significant and positively correlated with RH and AP. In season 1 only, mold sensitized patients showed higher rate of AEs. Non-atopic patients have been less sensitive to increased RH than atopic. Negative correlation with T was similar in both atopic and non-atopic patients. Conclusion Despite of high rate of sensitization to molds, their significant role in triggering AE was not found in desert environment. Typical desert climate and high allergencity of local weeds outweigh the influence of the molds. |
topic |
Asthma exacerbation Molds Meteorological parameters |
url |
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13223-019-0323-8 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT monaalahmad associationofmoldsandmetrologicalparameterstofrequencyofsevereasthmaexacerbation AT edinjusufovic associationofmoldsandmetrologicalparameterstofrequencyofsevereasthmaexacerbation AT nerminaarifhodzic associationofmoldsandmetrologicalparameterstofrequencyofsevereasthmaexacerbation AT titorodriguez associationofmoldsandmetrologicalparameterstofrequencyofsevereasthmaexacerbation AT jasminanurkic associationofmoldsandmetrologicalparameterstofrequencyofsevereasthmaexacerbation |
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