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Analysis of airborne allergenic pollen spectrum for 2009 in Timişoara, Romania

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Abstract

The objective of this investigation was to identify the overall pollen types and, more particularly, the allergenic pollen content in the investigated area and then to explore their seasonal variations. The measurement point was located in the Timişoara city, Romania. A Lanzoni volumetric trap was used for sample collection. Duration of the pollen season of allergenic plants and respective variation in airborne pollen concentration are presented in the pollen calendar for the year 2009. Among the identified pollen of 23 types, 20 were allergenic: Taxaceae/Cupressaceae, Alnus sp., Fraxinus sp., Betula sp., Corylus sp., Carpinus sp., Salix sp., Populus sp., Ulmus sp., Juglans sp., Quercus sp., Pinaceae, Tilia, Poaceae, Urticaceae, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Rumex sp., Plantago sp., Artemisia sp., Ambrosia sp. These species prevail throughout almost the entire pollen season, from February–October, accounting for 87.03 % of the total pollen count. The greatest diversity of pollen types is detected in the months of spring. The summer months were characterized mostly by non-arboreal pollen types. In late summer and early autumn, Ambrosia airpollen was the most abundant in the atmosphere. The relationships between pollen concentrations and nine meteorological parameters are presented too. To analyze the correlation between pollen data and variables, the Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used. The correlation analysis of daily pollen counts and meteorological parameters showed that arboreal pollen and non-arboreal pollen counts were significantly correlated with temperature. The prevalence of pollen sensitization resulted to be very high in our patients with respiratory symptoms.

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Acknowledgments

The study was financed by a Romanian national grant, Program 4 Partnership (PN2-41-011/2007-2013, PREVALERG)-Minister of Education, Research, Youth and Sports.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology and Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Biology and Geography, West University of Timişoara, Pestalozzi Street, No. 16, 300115, Timisoara, Romania

    Nicoleta Ianovici

  2. Department of Physiology and Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Victor Babeş Timişoara, Eftimie Murgu Street, No. 2, Timisoara, Romania

    Carmen Bunu Panaitescu

  3. Department of Exact Sciences, Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Timişoara, Calea Aradului Street, No. 119, Timisoara, Romania

    Ileana Brudiu

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Ianovici, N., Panaitescu, C.B. & Brudiu, I. Analysis of airborne allergenic pollen spectrum for 2009 in Timişoara, Romania. Aerobiologia 29, 95–111 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-012-9266-y

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