A comparative aeromycological study of the incidence of allergenic spores in outdoor environment

The aim of our study was to determine the concentrations of Cladosporium, Alternaria and Stemphylium conidia in four urban areas in Romania: Bra ov, Bucharest, Craiova and Timi oara. The sites differed in habitat characteristics, such as vegetation and microclimate. Airborne spores sampling was carried out in these cities by employing volumetric sampling. The samplings with the Lanzoni sampler were conducted in 2005. Spores were identified at the genus level only. Alternaria and Cladosporium have been identified as the most abundant and frequent aeroallergens in our cities. The totals of airborne spores recorded in this study show a considerable variation. The higher fungal spore concentrations occur in Bucharest and Craiova. The recorded levels of airborne spores in Bucharest and Craiova were close the concentrations that are accepted as threshold levels for provocation of clinical responses. The diurnal periodicity of aerial conidia showed a peak around midday and low counts in the dark. The present study will contribute to our knowledge of airborne spores in Romania.