Seasonal variations of allergenic pollen in a Mediterranean region – Alexandroupolis, north-east Greece
[b]Objectives.[/b] The aim of this study was to describe the aerobiological characteristics of NE Greece, identify the most prevalent taxa, define the duration of the main pollen season and correlate allergen records with meteorological parameters. [b]Materials and method.[/b] A 7-day volumetric...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Institute of Rural Health
2015-12-01
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| Series: | Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.journalssystem.com/aaem/Seasonal-variations-of-allergenic-pollen-in-a-Mediterranean-region-Alexandroupolis-north-east-Greece,72351,0,2.html |
| _version_ | 1811342274866446336 |
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| author | Christos Nikolaidis Michael Katotomichelakis Evangelia Nena Michael Makris Marios Tsakas Ioannis Michopoulos Theodore C Constantinidis Vassilios Danielides |
| author_facet | Christos Nikolaidis Michael Katotomichelakis Evangelia Nena Michael Makris Marios Tsakas Ioannis Michopoulos Theodore C Constantinidis Vassilios Danielides |
| author_sort | Christos Nikolaidis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | [b]Objectives.[/b] The aim of this study was to describe the aerobiological characteristics of NE Greece, identify the most prevalent taxa, define the duration of the main pollen season and correlate allergen records with meteorological parameters.
[b]Materials and method.[/b] A 7-day volumetric trap, running continuously throughout the year, was used to collect circulating pollen. Pollen taxa were characterized by standard protocols and counted as grains/m[sup]3[/sup] . The main pollen season was deduced from these data and running means (10-day averages) were plotted against time. Correlations with climatic factors (temperature, rain, humidity, wind velocity) were assessed by single linear regression analysis.
[b]Results.[/b] In total, 11 pollen families were identified, including 6 arboreal and 5 non-arboreal taxa. The 5 most prevalent taxa were Oleaceae, Fagaceae, Poaceae, Cupressaceae and Pinaceae. Peak pollen concentrations were detected in April and May, with daily averages exceeding 410 grains/m[sup]3[/sup] . Compositeae had the longest pollen season of 135 days and Oleaceae the shortest, extending to only 27 days. Correlations with meteorological parameters showed variable associations among different taxa, with mean temperature (p<0.001), relative humidity (p=0.015), and wind speed (p=0.042) emerging as the most significant determinants as regards total pollen counts.
[b]Conclusions[/b]. Describing the aerobiological characteristics of NE Greece enabled the identification of allergenic risks that are specific for this region. Records generated in this study can be used to alert sensitized individuals of prevailing seasonal patterns, in order to take necessary precautions against imminent exposures. The monitoring system established here can serve as a reference guide for future epidemiological research focusing on allergic asthma and rhinitis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T19:08:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f6e613c16b78481abe20051c49755545 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1232-1966 1898-2263 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T19:08:41Z |
| publishDate | 2015-12-01 |
| publisher | Institute of Rural Health |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-f6e613c16b78481abe20051c497555452022-12-22T02:33:55ZengInstitute of Rural HealthAnnals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine1232-19661898-22632015-12-0122468568910.5604/12321966.118577672351Seasonal variations of allergenic pollen in a Mediterranean region – Alexandroupolis, north-east GreeceChristos Nikolaidis0Michael Katotomichelakis1Evangelia Nena2Michael Makris3Marios Tsakas4Ioannis Michopoulos5Theodore C Constantinidis6Vassilios Danielides7Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.Allergy Unit “D. Kalogeromitros”, 2nd Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical School, University of Athens, “Attikon” University Hospital, Athens, Greece.Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.[b]Objectives.[/b] The aim of this study was to describe the aerobiological characteristics of NE Greece, identify the most prevalent taxa, define the duration of the main pollen season and correlate allergen records with meteorological parameters. [b]Materials and method.[/b] A 7-day volumetric trap, running continuously throughout the year, was used to collect circulating pollen. Pollen taxa were characterized by standard protocols and counted as grains/m[sup]3[/sup] . The main pollen season was deduced from these data and running means (10-day averages) were plotted against time. Correlations with climatic factors (temperature, rain, humidity, wind velocity) were assessed by single linear regression analysis. [b]Results.[/b] In total, 11 pollen families were identified, including 6 arboreal and 5 non-arboreal taxa. The 5 most prevalent taxa were Oleaceae, Fagaceae, Poaceae, Cupressaceae and Pinaceae. Peak pollen concentrations were detected in April and May, with daily averages exceeding 410 grains/m[sup]3[/sup] . Compositeae had the longest pollen season of 135 days and Oleaceae the shortest, extending to only 27 days. Correlations with meteorological parameters showed variable associations among different taxa, with mean temperature (p<0.001), relative humidity (p=0.015), and wind speed (p=0.042) emerging as the most significant determinants as regards total pollen counts. [b]Conclusions[/b]. Describing the aerobiological characteristics of NE Greece enabled the identification of allergenic risks that are specific for this region. Records generated in this study can be used to alert sensitized individuals of prevailing seasonal patterns, in order to take necessary precautions against imminent exposures. The monitoring system established here can serve as a reference guide for future epidemiological research focusing on allergic asthma and rhinitis.http://www.journalssystem.com/aaem/Seasonal-variations-of-allergenic-pollen-in-a-Mediterranean-region-Alexandroupolis-north-east-Greece,72351,0,2.htmlallergenic pollenseasonal trendsMediterraneanNE Greece |
| spellingShingle | Christos Nikolaidis Michael Katotomichelakis Evangelia Nena Michael Makris Marios Tsakas Ioannis Michopoulos Theodore C Constantinidis Vassilios Danielides Seasonal variations of allergenic pollen in a Mediterranean region – Alexandroupolis, north-east Greece Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine allergenic pollen seasonal trends Mediterranean NE Greece |
| title | Seasonal variations of allergenic pollen in a Mediterranean region – Alexandroupolis, north-east Greece |
| title_full | Seasonal variations of allergenic pollen in a Mediterranean region – Alexandroupolis, north-east Greece |
| title_fullStr | Seasonal variations of allergenic pollen in a Mediterranean region – Alexandroupolis, north-east Greece |
| title_full_unstemmed | Seasonal variations of allergenic pollen in a Mediterranean region – Alexandroupolis, north-east Greece |
| title_short | Seasonal variations of allergenic pollen in a Mediterranean region – Alexandroupolis, north-east Greece |
| title_sort | seasonal variations of allergenic pollen in a mediterranean region alexandroupolis north east greece |
| topic | allergenic pollen seasonal trends Mediterranean NE Greece |
| url | http://www.journalssystem.com/aaem/Seasonal-variations-of-allergenic-pollen-in-a-Mediterranean-region-Alexandroupolis-north-east-Greece,72351,0,2.html |
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