Alternaria is the most important fungal species belonging to the class Deuteromycetes which causes allergic respiratory diseases. The fungus pattern often shows a pronounced seasonal periodicity and with fluctuations related to meteorological conditions. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of outdoor Alternaria spore concentrations on monthly lung function tests, symptoms, and medication scores in children sensitised only to Alternaria. Additionally, we planned to determine the Alternaria spores of the outdoor environment in Adana, with special respect to their relationships with meteorological conditions and their seasonal changes. Twenty-five patients with a clinical diagnosis of asthma and/or rhinitis sensitised only to Alternaria were enrolled in the prospective study. Meteorological data and outdoor samples of airborne fungi were obtained between November 2006 and October 2007. The outdoor Alternaria spore concentrations were significantly correlated with the monthly average temperature (r=0.626, p=0.03) and monthly average barometric pressure (r=-0.613, p=0.03). Similarly, the outdoor Alternaria spore concentrations were significantly correlated with mean monthly asthma medication score (r=0.599, p=0.04), value monthly PEF (r=-0.737, p=0.006), value monthly FEF25-75% (r=-0.914, p=0.0001) and, variation in PEF (r=0.901, p=0.0001). The atmospheric concentration of Alternaria spores are markedly affected by meteorological factors such as air temperatures and barometric pressures. In hypersensitive patients, Alternaria spores can induce decreases in respiratory functions and development of allergic symptoms between May and September, being especially more influential in August.

Pollen morphology of 15 taxa belonging to the section Hololeuce Bunge of genus Astragalus L. species was investigated by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen slides were prepared using a Wodehouse technique. Measurements were based on 20 or more pollen grains per specimen. For scanning electron microscopy studies, dried pollen grains were transferred on aluminium stubs and coated with gold for 4 min in a sputter-coater. The pollen grains of Hololeuce taxa are radially symmetric and isopolar. The pollen grains of the taxa are prolate–spheroidal, subprolate or prolate with the polar axes 21.42–32.93 μm and the equatorial axes 17.13–28.26 μm. The pollen grains are operculate and trizonocolporate. Syncolporate. Colpi were usually long and narrow (Clt: 4.13–6.68 μm, Clg: 16.56–26.52 μm), subterminal, membrane granulate or verrucate. Pores were found to be longate or circular (Plg: 5.01–7.82 μm, Plt: 5.31–8.69 μm). Operculum membrane ornamentation verrucate, granulate, rugulate and reticulate. Pollen grains show reticulate, perforate polar section and perforate, reticulate, microreticulate, perforate–granulate, microreticulate–perforate, microrugulate–perforate, microrugulate–microreticulate, granulate–perforate, microreticulate–granulate at meridional sections. Exine is subtectate and has a thickness of 1.08–1.30 μm. Ectexine is thicker than endexine. Intine has a thickness of 0.5–0.68 μm. As result of this study some pollen characteristic as pollen shape, aperture type and ornamentations are shown to vary within the section Hololeuce. Especially pollen surface ornamentation on polar section and meridional section has systematic value to distinguish taxa from each other.

Sensitization to Alternaria and Cladosporium has been reported to be 3% to 30% in European countries. However, in Turkey, there is limited data about the prevalence of sensitization to these molds and the intensity of the two mold spores in Ankara atmosphere. This study was designed to evaluate the sensitization to Alternaria and Cladosporium in patients with respiratory allergy in Ankara and also the concentration of the two molds in Ankara atmosphere. Allergic rhinitis and asthma patients living in Ankara were included in the study. Demographic and diagnostic data of the patients were recorded. A skin prick test with extracts supplied by three different laboratories was used to evaluate the sensitization to Alternaria and Cladosporium. Mold spores were measured using a Burkard 7-day recording volumetric spore trap in Ankara atmosphere during a year. Overall sensitization to the two molds was found to be 14.8%, and isolated Alternaria or Cladosporiumsensitization was 3%. Considering the positive reaction to at least one of the three suppliers, the sensitization rate was 11.9% and 8.1% for Alternaria and Cladosporium, respectively. Cochran's Q homogenization test demonstrated that the positive and negative reaction were not homogeneous among three laboratories. The total number of mold spores in Ankara atmosphere was 429,264 spores/m3 of which 75.5% and 6% were constituted by Cladosporium and Alternaria, respectively. The prevalence of Cladosporium and Alternaria sensitization in respiratory allergy patients is quite similar to European countries; however, our data indicate that commercial mold extracts should be standardized to establish the real sensitization rates. Additionally, considering the great numbers of these mold spores in Ankara atmosphere, long-term follow-up studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between the mold load and sensitization patterns.