Exposure to outdoor aerospora and associated respiratory health risks among adults in Potchefstroom, North-West province, South Africa
BackgroundData on allergic rhinitis and respiratory health metrics are limited for South Africa, with grass pollen as a key outdoor aeroallergen. Exotic trees such as plane trees and ragweed produce highly allergenic pollen, dominating indigenous trees and weeds. Pollen allergy prevalence data is la...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Allergy |
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| author | Dorra Gharbi Dorra Gharbi Dorra Gharbi Frank Harald Neumann Keneilwe Podile Marinda McDonald Jo-hanné Linde Megan Frampton Megan Frampton Jennifer Leigh Liebenberg Sarel Cilliers Tshiamo Mmatladi Phumelele Nkosi Keamogestswe Paledi Stuart Piketh Jurgens Staats Roelof P. Burger Henno Havenga Rebecca M. Garland Petra Bester Pedro Humberto Lebre Cristian Ricci |
| author_facet | Dorra Gharbi Dorra Gharbi Dorra Gharbi Frank Harald Neumann Keneilwe Podile Marinda McDonald Jo-hanné Linde Megan Frampton Megan Frampton Jennifer Leigh Liebenberg Sarel Cilliers Tshiamo Mmatladi Phumelele Nkosi Keamogestswe Paledi Stuart Piketh Jurgens Staats Roelof P. Burger Henno Havenga Rebecca M. Garland Petra Bester Pedro Humberto Lebre Cristian Ricci |
| author_sort | Dorra Gharbi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundData on allergic rhinitis and respiratory health metrics are limited for South Africa, with grass pollen as a key outdoor aeroallergen. Exotic trees such as plane trees and ragweed produce highly allergenic pollen, dominating indigenous trees and weeds. Pollen allergy prevalence data is lacking in cities of North-West province such as Potchefstroom.ObjectivesThis study aimed to (i) assess the prevalence of allergies to major aeroallergens, including Poaceae (grasses), Cupressus/Hesperocyparis (cypresses), Platanus (plane tree), Ulmus (elm), Quercus (oak), Betula (birch), Olea (olive), Artemisia (sagebrush), Amaranthus (amaranth), Plantago (plantain), Morus (mulberry), and Ambrosia (ragweed), along with fungal spores such as Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Penicillium/Aspergillus, and (ii) investigate the monthly incidence of major aeroallergens and reactivity levels in sensitized adults in Potchefstroom.MethodsSkin prick tests (SPTs) were performed on 202 adults aged 18–64 years with confirmed allergic symptoms during a field campaign at North-West University (NWU)'s Potchefstroom campus. A test panel of grass, weed, tree, and fungal spore extracts previously identified via aerobiological monitoring was used. Symptom scores were recorded using ISAAC questionnaires; Spearman's statistical correlation between symptom frequency and monthly aeroallergen concentrations were analyzed.ResultsAmong the participants, 184 (91%) exhibited positive SPT reactions: 104 (57%) are monosensitized to pollen, 45 (24%) to fungal spores, and 35 (19%) are polysensitized. Aeroallergen prevalence was higher in females (73%) than in males (27%). The most common pollen allergens were Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass) (85%), Zea mays (maize) (46%), Platanus spp. (plane tree) (35%), and Ulmus campestris (field elm) (33%). Among fungal spores, Alternaria was the most common (93%), followed by Cladosporium (27%). A significant and positive statistical correlation was found between allergic rhinitis symptoms and monthly pollen concentrations of Betula, Morus, Platanus, and Quercus.Discussion & ConclusionThis pilot study linked aeroallergens detected in Potchefstroom with allergy profiles of local residents. The findings highlight the need for more comprehensive regional studies that integrate allergen testing with aerobiological data. Raising awareness and implementing health strategies are essential for managing allergic rhinitis in South Africa. More affordable and available SPTs kits, adapted to allergy prevalence in South Africa, are strongly suggested. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2b08bd9a2fc64e0397b2c20cb1a4c856 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2673-6101 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Allergy |
| spelling | doaj-art-2b08bd9a2fc64e0397b2c20cb1a4c8562025-08-20T03:08:33ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Allergy2673-61012025-04-01610.3389/falgy.2025.15686691568669Exposure to outdoor aerospora and associated respiratory health risks among adults in Potchefstroom, North-West province, South AfricaDorra Gharbi0Dorra Gharbi1Dorra Gharbi2Frank Harald Neumann3Keneilwe Podile4Marinda McDonald5Jo-hanné Linde6Megan Frampton7Megan Frampton8Jennifer Leigh Liebenberg9Sarel Cilliers10Tshiamo Mmatladi11Phumelele Nkosi12Keamogestswe Paledi13Stuart Piketh14Jurgens Staats15Roelof P. Burger16Henno Havenga17Rebecca M. Garland18Petra Bester19Pedro Humberto Lebre20Cristian Ricci21Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, SwitzerlandOeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Bern, SwitzerlandUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaThe Allergy Clinic, Blairgowrie, South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaThe Allergy Clinic, Blairgowrie, South AfricaDepartment of Paediatrics & Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Rahima Moosa Mother & Child Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaFaculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaDepartment of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South AfricaAfrica Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaCentre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South AfricaAfrica Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaBackgroundData on allergic rhinitis and respiratory health metrics are limited for South Africa, with grass pollen as a key outdoor aeroallergen. Exotic trees such as plane trees and ragweed produce highly allergenic pollen, dominating indigenous trees and weeds. Pollen allergy prevalence data is lacking in cities of North-West province such as Potchefstroom.ObjectivesThis study aimed to (i) assess the prevalence of allergies to major aeroallergens, including Poaceae (grasses), Cupressus/Hesperocyparis (cypresses), Platanus (plane tree), Ulmus (elm), Quercus (oak), Betula (birch), Olea (olive), Artemisia (sagebrush), Amaranthus (amaranth), Plantago (plantain), Morus (mulberry), and Ambrosia (ragweed), along with fungal spores such as Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Penicillium/Aspergillus, and (ii) investigate the monthly incidence of major aeroallergens and reactivity levels in sensitized adults in Potchefstroom.MethodsSkin prick tests (SPTs) were performed on 202 adults aged 18–64 years with confirmed allergic symptoms during a field campaign at North-West University (NWU)'s Potchefstroom campus. A test panel of grass, weed, tree, and fungal spore extracts previously identified via aerobiological monitoring was used. Symptom scores were recorded using ISAAC questionnaires; Spearman's statistical correlation between symptom frequency and monthly aeroallergen concentrations were analyzed.ResultsAmong the participants, 184 (91%) exhibited positive SPT reactions: 104 (57%) are monosensitized to pollen, 45 (24%) to fungal spores, and 35 (19%) are polysensitized. Aeroallergen prevalence was higher in females (73%) than in males (27%). The most common pollen allergens were Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass) (85%), Zea mays (maize) (46%), Platanus spp. (plane tree) (35%), and Ulmus campestris (field elm) (33%). Among fungal spores, Alternaria was the most common (93%), followed by Cladosporium (27%). A significant and positive statistical correlation was found between allergic rhinitis symptoms and monthly pollen concentrations of Betula, Morus, Platanus, and Quercus.Discussion & ConclusionThis pilot study linked aeroallergens detected in Potchefstroom with allergy profiles of local residents. The findings highlight the need for more comprehensive regional studies that integrate allergen testing with aerobiological data. Raising awareness and implementing health strategies are essential for managing allergic rhinitis in South Africa. More affordable and available SPTs kits, adapted to allergy prevalence in South Africa, are strongly suggested.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/falgy.2025.1568669/fullaeroallergensskin prick testsrespiratory diseasesPotchefstroompollensfungi |
| spellingShingle | Dorra Gharbi Dorra Gharbi Dorra Gharbi Frank Harald Neumann Keneilwe Podile Marinda McDonald Jo-hanné Linde Megan Frampton Megan Frampton Jennifer Leigh Liebenberg Sarel Cilliers Tshiamo Mmatladi Phumelele Nkosi Keamogestswe Paledi Stuart Piketh Jurgens Staats Roelof P. Burger Henno Havenga Rebecca M. Garland Petra Bester Pedro Humberto Lebre Cristian Ricci Exposure to outdoor aerospora and associated respiratory health risks among adults in Potchefstroom, North-West province, South Africa Frontiers in Allergy aeroallergens skin prick tests respiratory diseases Potchefstroom pollens fungi |
| title | Exposure to outdoor aerospora and associated respiratory health risks among adults in Potchefstroom, North-West province, South Africa |
| title_full | Exposure to outdoor aerospora and associated respiratory health risks among adults in Potchefstroom, North-West province, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Exposure to outdoor aerospora and associated respiratory health risks among adults in Potchefstroom, North-West province, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exposure to outdoor aerospora and associated respiratory health risks among adults in Potchefstroom, North-West province, South Africa |
| title_short | Exposure to outdoor aerospora and associated respiratory health risks among adults in Potchefstroom, North-West province, South Africa |
| title_sort | exposure to outdoor aerospora and associated respiratory health risks among adults in potchefstroom north west province south africa |
| topic | aeroallergens skin prick tests respiratory diseases Potchefstroom pollens fungi |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/falgy.2025.1568669/full |
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