Assessment of Fungal Spores Sensitization in Ukraine Employing Molecular Diagnostics

Abstract

Rationale: Fungal spores are important components of bioaerosols, Spores are unstable and degrade in diagnostic allergen extracts. This study assess the sensitization rate of Ukrainian seasonal allergy patients to fungal spores using molecular diagnostics. Methods: Data from 1011 patients living in different regions of Ukraine was analyzed. All patients were diagnosed using the Allergy Exlporer (ALEX) test. A comparison was made between the molecular sensitization data and airborne biological particles counts obtained in Central and Eastern regions of Ukraine including Vinnytsya (2009-2018 monitoring), Odessa, Dnipro, Donetsk, Poltava, and Simpheropol (2010 monitoring). Results: Despite high concentrations in the ambient air from all regions of Ukraine, Cladosporium did not cause any notable sensitization of allergic individuals with 4 people, or 0,4% having increased levels of sIgE to Cladosporium. Alternaria appeared to be the most important fungal allergen for Ukrainians with sensitivity seen in 23.3 % of individuals. 3.36 % were sensitized to spores ofAspergillus/Penicillium, making this spore group the second most important fungal allergen for Ukrainians. Conclusions: Alternaria is an important allergen for patients with seasonal allergy in Ukraine being a risk factor especially in summer, when levels are highest. It is important to distinguish symptoms caused by Alternaria, from those provoked by grass and weed pollens. People with fungal allergy symptoms, caused by both Alternaria and Aspergillus/Penicillium, should avoid damp places. While bioaerosols may consist of a few dozen different fungal spores, differential diagnostics of fungal specific allergy needs optimization.