Airborne Mycoflora Of Timisoara (romania) In Relation To Meteorological Parametersdoc

=== Airborne mycoflora of Timisoara (Romania) in relation to meteorological parameters ===

Airborne mycoflora of Timisoara (Romania) in relation to meteorological parameters

Nicoleta IANOVICI1, Marius-Victor BIRSAN2

1West University of Timisoara

Faculty of Chemistry, Biology and Geography

Department of Biology and Chemistry

Pestalozzi Street, No. 16, 300115, Timisoara, Romania

[anonimizat]

2National Meteorological Administration

Sos. Bucuresti-Ploiesti No. 97, 013686, Bucharest, Romania

ABSTRACT

Present aeromycological investigation was undertaken to study the atmospheric fungal spores in western Romania. This study was carried out according to volumetric method, using a Lanzoni sampler. Our study revealed the existence of a rich airborne mycoflora in Timisoara. 85 fungi in outdoor air in the present study is reported. Over 44 taxa of anamorphic fungal spores were observed. The atmospheric fungal spores were classified and evaluated in three groups (“major”, “minor” and “sporadic”) depending upon their catch percentage in the air. Five major types were recorded from the outdoor environment of Timisoara City. Cladosporium accounted for 81.09% of the outdoor spores. The airborne fungal fragments have been identified as abundant in our geographic area. This study also determined the correlation between spore counts documented on a given day and the main meteorological factors. A total of eleven parameters were selected for this investigation. SPSS was used for the statistical analysis, and Spearman’s correlation was applied on meteorological parameters and fungal spores concentrations. In addition, correlations were calculated between the spore concentrations and the meteorological variables on the previous day. We identified two patterns of behavior, according to the Spearman correlation: the most of the airborne spores prefer nebulosity, lower near-surface soil temperature, lower atmospheric pressure, higher relative humidity and precipitation while other spores concentrations are favoured to higher sunshine, greater near-surface soil temperature and dry conditions. The behavior of some fungal spores during the warm season (July) has proven unclear. The multiple linear regression explained a significantly large quantity of the variance in the airborne spores – environment relationship.

Keywords: atmospheric fungal spores; aeromycology; allergy; biomonitoring; outdoor air; Cladosporium

INTRODUCTION

Aeromycological sampling attempts to both identify and quantify phytopathogenic and non-phytopathogenic atmospheric fungal spores (Larsen and Gravesen, 1991; Sterling et al, 1999; Sarica Okten et al., 2005; Ianovici et al, 2011). The biologists have shown a great interest in biomonitoring atmospheric fungal spores in outdoor and indoor environment due to both their constant frequency in the air and the increase of respiratory allergies caused by them (Pasanen, 1992; Larsen and Gravesen, 1991; Sarica Okten et al, 2005; Almaguer et al, 2015). Spores belonging to over 80 fungal genera produce allergies and immunotoxic diseases (Ianovici & Faur, 2003; Ataygul et al, 2007). Other structures such as hyphal fragments and conidiophores are also dispersed in the atmosphere (Comtois, 1990). Distribution of fungal spores in atmosphere has a varying nature and is determined by a combination of many environmental and biological factors (Sarica Ökten et al, 2007). The distribution of atmospheric fungal spores changes from country to country and even within regions of the same countries. The correlation between weather and fungal spores concentrations has been recognised by many authors in different parts of the world.

Generally, air sampling may be conducted for qualitative or quantitative purposes. The aim of qualitative sampling is to determine the presence of no specific airborne fungi, while quantitative sampling aims at measuring the concentration of selected types of spores. Studies on the presence of spores in the atmosphere of Timisoara (Romania) were started by Ianovici & Faur in 2001 using Lanzoni sampler (Ianovici & Faur, 2003). The biomonitoring of fungal spores in Romania revealed the summer as the most favourable season for airborne spores occurrence (Faur et al. 2004; Ianovici and Dumbravă 2008a; Ianovici and Dumbravă 2008b). It is important to highlight that most of works has focused only to determine concentration and period of the presence of selected fungal spore types in the atmosphere and not on the whole spectrum. The effect of climate on airborne spores concentrations in this area is less well known. The objective of this study was to establish a checklist of the common airborne fungal spores in a urban area in Romania, to study the daily concentrations of atmospheric fungal spores and the influence of environmental conditions on their release and dispersion in July 2008.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was carried out according to the volumetric method. Fungal spores were sampled by using 7-day Lanzoni volumetric trap and identification was performed microscopically based on their morphological structures. The air suction rate of the volumetric air sampler was maintained at 10 l/min. The slides were examined in the light microscope weekly. Spore counts were done at 2-h intervals and total daily counts were converted to numbers per cubic metre of air. Concentrations were expressed as the number of airborne fungal spores per cubic metre of air (AFS/m3). A correction factor is used to determine the quantity of spores; this is previously calculated according to the system of capture used and the features of the microscope lens. Statistical analysis was carried out by SPSS software package. Spearman’s correlation test was performed in order to identify the major variables likely to influence the dynamic of the airborne fungal spores. P values lower than 0.05 were accepted as significant. The correlation coefficients between spores concentration and some daily meteorological parameters (mean daily average temperature expressed in °C; near-surface soil temperature expressed in °C; relative humidity in %; mean wind speed expressed in m/s; daily maximum wind speed expressed in m/s, atmospheric pressure in millibars; sunshine hours in h; nebulosity in tenths, quantities of precipitations in L/m2) were analyzed. Wind direction was not included in the study. Subsequently, the multiple regression analysis was performed in order to determine how much of total variance in these daily concentrations of atmospheric fungal spores can be explained by meteorological parameters. The aim was not to develop predictive model, but rather to give information on types of factors that might be controlling dispersion of airborne spores concentrations.

The meteorological data for Timisoara were obtained from the records of the National Meteorological Administration. The weather in Timisoara in July 2008 was warm (with mean average temperature of 21.9°C) and relatively wet (with average relative humidity of 60.8%), lower pressure than in other months of summer, with sunny days and low rainfall (table 1).

RESULTS

Qualitative and quantitative characterization of airborne mycoflora

85 fungi in the present study were reported. In Basidiomycota 5 spore types, Oomycota 1 spore type (Peronospora) and Ascomycota 35 spore types were recorded in the outdoor air (figure 1). Other fungal spore types that were identified in air samples included the anamorphs (44 genera) (table 2). Deuteromycota provide some of the most abundant airborne fungal spores of which several genera are of ubiquitous occurrence. Besides fungal spores the other bioparticles (pollen grains, fragments of insects, plant parts) were also recorded (data not shown). The broken hyphae or conidiophores were recorded as airborne fungal fragments. Distinguishing the conidia of Drechslera S. Ito 1930 and Exserohilum K.J. Leonard & Suggs 1974 using an optic microscope is difficult; they were therefore considered as belonging to the Drechslera type. The Fusarium/Leptosphaeria group type included spores of Melanomma Nitschke ex Fuckel 1870 and Phaeosphaeria I. Miyake 1909. Xylariaceae spores were recorded as one pooled taxon. Aspergillus / Penicillium type was not quantified. Some spore types could not be identified.

Table 2.The fungal spore types that were identified in air samples, July 2008

Our results show the presence of a large number of fungal spore types. The richness of the spores types varied throughout the investigated period. The maximum number of spores types was registered in 4 July (28 types) and the minimum recorded in 1 and 2 July (11 types). Airborne fungi were grouped into “major”, “minor” and “sporadic” types depending upon their catch percentage in the air (fig.2, fig 3, fig 4)). Cladosporium, Alternaria, Fusarium/Leptosphaeria group, Helminthosporium type spores and airborne fungal fragments were trapped most frequently (100% of days). The minor fungal spores of Xilariaceae, Peronospora, Epicoccum, Capronia, Parapheospheria, Pleospora, Torula, Oidium, Nigrospora, Tilletia, Stemphylium, Pseudocercospora, Ascobolus, Caloplaca, Drechslera, Diplodia, Polythrincium, Pithomyces, Bipolaris, Sporidesmium, Diatrype occurred in very low concentrations. Minor components included less frequent types (greater frequency of 12%) but stable components of aeromycota. The remaining types of spores are sporadic presence in the atmosphere.

The spores count obtained during the period studied was 51,578 spores. Cladosporium was the most prevalent fungal spore type during July 2008 in the air samples from the Timisoara site (41,704.4 spores). The borderline concentration of 2,000 AFS/m3 air that is associated with the occurrence of allergic reactions was exceeded on a six days. Monthly peak of the Cladosporium spore concentrations was observed on 2 July (3,216.4 AFS/m3air). In July 2008, the air concentration of Alternaria spores exceeded the borderline level of 80 AFS/m3 on only two days (4 and 30 July). Monthly peak of the Alternaria spore concentrations was observed on 4 July (108.8 AFS/m3air).

Figure 3. Totals of major spores in the air recorded from Timisoara monitoring station in July – 2008

Figure 4. Totals of minor spores in the air recorded from Timisoara monitoring station in July – 2008

The correlations between the airborne spores and environmental factors from the same day (SD)

In this second part the meteorological aspects will be presented. For initial analysis we used Spearman test. The relation between airborne fungal spores and meteorological variability in July were given in Table 3. The 25 major and minor spores types, airborne hyphal fragments and daily total spores were then subjected to analyses.

A positive significant correlation between fungal spores concentrations and minimum temperature occurred only for two spore types (Bipolaris, Pithomyces). Pseudocercospora spore level showed a significant negative correlation with minimum temperature.

Torula, Pithomyces and Oidium spore levels showed a significant positive correlation with maximum temperature. The concentration of Pseudocercospora was significantly and negatively correlated with maximum temperature.

In the present work, Fusarium/Leptosphaeria group, Capronia, Pseudocercospora and Polythrincium spores presented a significant negative correlation with mean daily average temperature on the same day. The results have shown that level of Torula and Bipolaris spores is significant positive affected by mean daily average temperature.

Positive and statistically significant correlation was observed between the airborne fungal fragments and Torula spores and the near-surface soil temperature. More notable is the significant negative relationship between near-surface soil temperature and concentrations of Fusarium/Leptosphaeria group, Capronia, Parapheospheria, Pleospora, Pseudocercospora, Ascobolus and Polythrincium.

In the case of airborne fungal fragments and Torula negative significant correlation coefficients were obtained with daily average relative humidity. Fusarium/Leptosphaeria group, Xilariaceae group, Capronia, Parapheospheria, Pleospora, Pseudocercospora, Ascobolus and Polythrincium revealed significant positive correlations.

Significant negative correlations were observed between the airborne fungal fragments, Helminthosporium, Torula and Sporidesmium spores and precipitation. For this same factor, the correlations were significant and positive in the case of Fusarium/Leptosphaeria group, Capronia, Pleospora and Polythrincium.

In the present work, Fusarium/Leptosphaeria group, Capronia, Parapheospheria, Pleospora and Pseudocercospora spores presented a significant negative correlation with sunshine hours. The results have shown that level of Helminthosporium and Torula spores is significant positive affected by a sunshine hours on the same day.

A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between the nebulosity and Fusarium/Leptosphaeria group, Parapheospheria and Pleospora spores concentrations. For Torula spores was negative correlation detected between concentrations and nebulosity.

In the present study, we found only a negative correlation between atmospheric pressure and Parapheospheria spores counts.

In relation to daily average wind speed, the correlation was significant and positive in the case of airborne fungal fragments. For the other spore types, the correlation with daily average wind speed was not statistically significant.

Weak negative correlations were observed in the case of Peronospora, Diatrype, Nigrospora, Stemphylium, Drechslera, Caloplaca, Cladosporium, Tilletia, Alternaria, Diplodia, Epicoccum and daily total spores in the same day.

The correlations between the airborne spores and environmental factors from the previous day (PD)

We have chosen the meteorological parameters on the day before to the appearance of fungal spores to see if it confirms the statistical data on the same day sampling.

Weak negative correlations were observed in the case of maximum temperature and minimum temperature a day earlier.

In the present study, only Capronia and Polythrincium spores presented a significant negative correlation with average temperature on the previous day.

Fusarium/Leptosphaeria group, Capronia and Polythrincium were negative significantly correlated with near-surface soil temperature. Positive and statistically significant correlation was observed between the airborne fungal fragments and Torula spores and the near-surface soil temperature on the previous day.

Cladosporium, Fusarium/Leptosphaeria group, Xilariaceae group, Capronia, Parapheospheria, Nigrospora, Polythrincium and daily total spores showed a significant strong positive correlation with daily average relative humidity 0n the day before sampling. Airborne fungal fragments and Torula spores were negative correlated.

Fusarium/Leptosphaeria group, Capronia and Ascobolus were the components of the airmycoflora to show a significant positive correlation with quantities of precipitations falling on the day before sampling but Torula were negative significantly correlated.

Torula, Oidium and airborne fungal fragments were positive correlated significantly with sunshine hours 0n the day before sampling. The strongest negative correlations were demonstrated by Fusarium/Leptosphaeria group, Capronia, Pleospora, Pseudocercospora, Ascobolus and Polythrincium.

A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between the nebulosity and Capronia spores concentrations. For Torula and Oidium spores was negative correlation detected between concentrations and nebulosity.

In the present study, we found a negative correlation between atmospheric pressure and Nigrospora spores counts. Torula and Helminthosporium were positive correlated significantly with atmospheric pressure on the day before sampling.

In relation to daily average wind speed, the correlation was significant and negative only in the case of Xilariaceae group.

According to the Spearman correlations with meteorological factors, the major and minor fungal spores can be divided after two patterns:

airborne fungal fragments, Torula, Pithomyces, Helminthosporium, Bipolaris, Sporidesmium, Oidium presented positive correlations with temperature, atmospheric pressure and sunshine but negative correlations with relative humidity, rainfall and nebulosity; in general, we noticed a weak correlation between wind and concentrations.

Cladosporium, Fusarium/Leptosphaeria type, Xilariaceae type, Polythrincium, Capronia, Parapheospheria, Pleospora, Nigrospora, Pseudocercospora, Ascobolus and daily total spores presented a contrary behavior.

Stemphylium, Drechslera type, Diplodia, Epicoccum, Perenospora, Diatrype, Tilletia, Caloplaca, Alternaria, not exhibit the clear behavior in July-2008.

Tables 4 show the statistically multiple linear regressions for atmospheric fungal spores. Multiple linear regression was performed in order to identify the significant variables likely to influence the dynamic of the airborne fungal spores and fungal fragments. The most important factors statistically significantly different to 0 were not the same for each type. Unstandardized coefficients indicate how much the airborne spores concentration (dependent variable) varies with an independent variable when all other independent variables are held constant. Differences in the dependences between fungal spore levels and meteorological parameters can be observed in every day (same day and previous day sampling).

The effect of relative humidity on airborne spore concentrations can be simultaneously positive (Xilariaceae) and negative (airborne fungal fragments). Quantities of precipitations were significant associated with Pleospora and Pseudocercospora. The occurrence of spores of Polythrincium, Fusarium/Leptosphaeria type and Sporidesmium was significantly associated with the lowest near-surface soil temperature values. In the same day, there were other statistically significant variables: average wind speed (for airborne fungal fragments, Parapheospheria and Ascobolus), minimum temperature (for Pithomyces) and sunshine (for Polythrincium).Multiple regression analyses consisting of average temperature + maximum temperature during the same day explained of the variability in Cladosporium spores. For each one degree increase in average temperature, there is a increase in spores concentrations with 1165,03 spores. On the other hand, for each one degree increase in maximum temperature, there is a decrease in Cladosporium spores concentrations on the same day with 507,280 spores. Increase temperature until 30 when combined with a sufficient relative humidity (between 60-65%) seems to optimize the sporulation conditions for spores, especially for Cladosporium. These factors showed to have some influence on the daily total spores dispersion in the same day.

The meteorological parameters affect spore concentrations differently when analysis was done for each day separately. Only one meteorological variable had a statistically significant impact on the total variance of the occurrence of Epicoccum, Capronia and Nigrospora spores on the day before sampling. The coefficients of determination with meteorological factors fall sharply when we consider the previous day in which we recorded airborne spores (with the exception of Xilariaceae, Epicoccum, Torula, Nigrospora, Tiletia, Stemphylium). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that wind speed recorded 1 day prior is the more important variable than wind speed on the same day for Fusarium/Leptosphaeria type, Capronia, Parapheospheria and Pleospora. In these cases, maximum wind speed favored increased levels of airborne spores. Wind promotes spore release in different ways. Maximum wind speeds were found to be more important than average wind speeds on the previous day. The other statistically significant variables impacted spore composition differently in the day before sampling: relative humidity explained a part of the total variance in the occurrence of Xilariaceae and Epicoccum, average temperature for Xilariaceae and Tiletia, precipitations for Nigrospora, sunshine hours for Tiletia, maximum temperature for Xilariaceae.

High concentrations of spores of Fusarium/Leptosphaeria type were influenced by many factors: the near-surface soil temperature recorded on the same day, average wind speed and maximum wind speed in the day prior to the appearance of fungal spores. The ascospores of the Xylariaceae type were influenced by the average temperature and relative humidity recorded on the same day, average temperature, maximum temperature and relative humidity in the day prior to the appearance of fungal spores. The major explanatory variables for Pleospora concentrations were precipitations on the same day and wind speed on the day before sampling. Other airborne spores, such as Alternaria, Helminthosporium, Peronospora, Torula, Oidium, Stemphylium, Caloplaca, Drechslera, Diplodia, Pithomyces, Bipolaris and Diatrype not had statistically significant relationships with environmental factors.

DISCUSSIONS

Measurements were made in July of 2008 because most reports showed that higher concentrations of atmospheric fungal spores were recorded during the summer (Ianovici & Tudorică, 2009). In the middle of summer, fungal diversity is much greater than at any other time of the year (Ianovici, 2008). The anamorphs fungi were the largest contributors of the total airborne fungal spores. In this study, Cladosporium, Fusarium/Leptosphaeria group, Alternaria, Helminthosporium and hyphal fragments are the commonest fungal components in the atmosphere of the Timisoara area. Most of the major fungal spores in the current study were reported earlier in the atmospheres of different microhabitats all over the world. All of the above fungi have been reported to be aeroallergens. Cladosporium and Alternaria spores were found to be most abundant in Timisoara City. These results are comparable to those from a previous study (Faur et al, 2003; Ianovici et al, 2011; Ianovici et al. 2013). Cladosporium constitutes 81.09% of the airborne spore load. Genus Cladosporium is the most common taxon in outdoor air worldwide irrespective of the climate (Almaguer et al, 2015).

Temperature and humidity were found to be the most important influence on airborne spores concentrations in July. This observation was consistent with previous reports (Li &Kendrick, 1994; Marchiso and Airaudi 2001; Wu et al. 2000). The results of the Spearman’s correlation test showed that the atmospheric fungal spores release in July is insignificantly affected by the wind speed.

The duration of the phenological stages for each fungi species is variable. Environmental factors may affect spore production directly, or indirectly, through their effect on the substrates colonised by the fungi. For that reason, this study also determined the correlation between spore concentrations for a given day and the meteorological parameters for the previous day (Fernández-González et al, 2012). Fungal spores are adapted to resist unfavourable environmental conditions, the stressful conditions, characteristic of the summer, with absence of rain, high temperatures and strong sunlight (Elvira-Rendueles et al, 2013). The exceedance of the higher temperature limit for growth may kill some fungi, whereas temperatures below the lower growth limit are less lethal. Fungi are living organisms that multiply rapidly under favourable conditions and may colonise organic material when water is available in sufficient quantity (Eduard, 2009). Lyon et al. (1984) suggested that adequate moisture is probably the most important factor in spore production. Some authors (Ebner and Haslwandter 1989; Hawke and Meadows 1989) have stated that the significance of the correlation with humidity depends on the type of spores. During fungal sporulation, relative humidity and temperature are the most important factors influencing fungal spore release (Li & Kendrick, 1994).

These factors can modulate the response of different species of fungi. On the one hand, some concentrations of spores are significant correlated with some meteorological factors in the same day. These concentrations are strongly correlated with other factors from previous day of their sampling. On the other hand, some meteorological factors are significant correlated with concentrations of spores in the same day. These parameters are strongly correlated with other spores on previous day (Rodríguez-Rajo et al, 2005; Fernández-González et al, 2009). The same meteorological variable may have different influences on different parts of the cycle. Each weather variable has a range in which it affects the spores genesis, release and survival. Release mechanisms of fungal spores are numerous and vary from species to species. Some fungi require rather humid conditions whereas others favour dry and windy conditions for spore release (Sesartic & Dallafior, 2011). Overall, the correlations were less significant when data is restricted to the period of airborne spores being released. However, our study, according to the Spearman correlation, indicated that increases of counts of airborne fungal fragments, Torula, Pithomyces, Helminthosporium, Bipolaris, Sporidesmium and Oidium were correlated with higher temperatures, sunshine and lower relative humidity, while Cladosporium, Fusarium/Leptosphaeria type, Xilariaceae type, Polythrincium, Capronia, Parapheospheria, Pleospora, Nigrospora, Pseudocercospora, Ascobolus and daily total spores were increased at higher relative humidity, nebulosity and lower temperature.

Airborne fungal fragments were found to be correlated with several climatic factors (quantities of precipitations, daily average relative humidity, daily average wind speed). In other studies, airborne fungal fragments have been shown to become airborne at significantly higher concentrations than conidia in simulated aerosolization experiments (Gorny et al. 2012). On the other hand, the incorporation of hyphal counts with those of conidia in epidemiologic investigations has improved the association with asthma severity. One study has demonstrated that airborne fungal hyphae commonly function as sources of aeroallergen (Green et al. 2005).

In the present work, the daily total spores concentrations do not presented a significant positive correlation with meteorological parameters (except relative humidity on the day before sampling). Also, in other many studies no significant associations were found between meteorological conditions and the total fungal spore concentration. This finding would help to explain some of the lack of association in the reporting of health effects and total fungal spore concentrations observed (Osborne et al. 2006). But it is possible that airborne fungi to have synergistic relationships. Cross-reactivity has been described for about 20 fungal allergens (Simon-Nobbe et al. 2008). However, it was noted that the prevalence of atmospheric fungal spores does not always identical with clinically importance of aeroallergens (Chapmann 2000). The clinical responses of the patients do not depend only on the concentrations (Ianovici et al. 2007).

A multiple regression between spore concentrations and independent variables (meteorological parameters on the previous day and the same day) was made with data obtained during middle summer. Those parameters accounting for a higher proportion of variation of the independent variable were selected as dependent variables. The effects of meteorological factors varied among days when analysis was done with multiple linear regression. We believe that it is important not only to take into account the meteorological variables recorded on the same day. The values of coefficient of determination indicate a good level of prediction. In our analysis, the values of near-surface soil temperature were generally more significant than values of maximum, mean and minimum temperature of the same day. Various environmental factors have been shown to favour sporulation, including temperatures, wind, sunshine, relative humidity and rainfall with a prior day to spore dissemination. The strongest association was generally found with the temperatures of the same day. The optimal conditions for some airborne spore concentrations were wind strong associated with mean temperatures on the previous day, favouring maturing and release of these spore types. Fungi react simultaneously to a combination of climate factors (Grinn-Gofron and Bosiacka, 2012). It is possible that other non measured parameters may have some influence on spore release.

Differences in the results from the other studies are caused by various methodologies applied and also by duration of season included in the analysis. Correlation is a measure of the extent to which two variables are related and provides hints about this relationship (Aldrich et al, 1995). In addition to Spearman's correlation test, the multiple regression analysis was performed in order to determine how much of total variance in these spore counts can be explained by meteorological parameters. Statistical methods used in our study are complementary when they describe the effects of all meteorological factors on the concentrations and composition of airborne mycoflora. The growth, sporulation and dispersal of airborne spores are evidently highly sensitive to changes in the weather (Herrero et al. 1996; Rodríguez-Rajo et al, 2005). Our study illustrated the difficulty in interpretations relating the associations between meteorological variables and airborne spore concentrations. Short sampling durations only provide a snapshot of airborne mycoflora at climatically different locations. Obviously it is necessary to investigate annual dynamic of spores concentrations that can conclusively illustrate the correlation with environmental factors.

Our present study has an important contribution for determination of levels and types of atmospheric fungal spores in Romania. Most of these atmospheric fungal spores are a potential danger to public health. Monitoring of these aeroallergens may be useful for patients, clinicians and the general public in the Romania. Based of our results, clinicians should consider the atmospheric fungal spores described herein as a possible cause of allergic symptoms during periods of warm summer weather. The threshold concentrations of aeroallergens, for the induction of clinical symptoms, are practically unknown in our country. Testing to allergic patients will have to include these types of fungal spores, especially in summer. Also, further studies are needed to be carried out because of urbanization and increasing air pollution.

CONCLUSIONS

The value of this study is to help in the identification of the various components of the outdoor environment. Cladosporium Fusarium/Leptosphaeria group, Alternaria, Helminthosporium airspores and hyphal fragments were found to be present regularly (frequency 100% of days). Minor components included 21 airborne fungal genera. Spearman’s correlation test and multiple linear regression were performed in order to identify the variables likely to influence the dynamic of the airborne spores and fungal fragments on the same day and previous day to spores sampling. The 25 major and minor spores types, airborne fungal fragments and daily total spores were subjected to analyses. Cladosporium is the leading allergenic fungi observed in our climate and is a important source of aeroallergens.