Correlation between Alt a 1 levels and clinical symptoms in Alternaria alternata-monosensitized patients.
BACKGROUND
Alternaria alternata is a risk factor for developing asthma.Alt a 1, which has been described as the major allergen in A alternata, shows a good correlation with A alternata spores only when they have germinated.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between spore counts and clinical symptoms in patients with allergic asthma and/or rhinitis monosensitized to A alternata.


METHODS
Two types of samplers were used to determine exposure: a Burkard spore trap to collect A alternata spores and a high-volume air sampler to collect airborne particles. A total of 366 air filters were collected. Alt a 1 levels were measured by monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Eighteen monosensitized patients were asked to record their daily symptoms throughout the year.


RESULTS
A alternata spores were detected throughout the year, whereas Alt a 1 was detected only between March and December. Symptoms showed positive and significant correlations with spore counts (r=0.459, P<.001), and Alt a 1 levels (r=0.294, P<.001). The correlation between spores and Alt a 1 was low. The negative binomial model proved that an increase of 10 pg/m3 in Alt a 1 levels increased the number of symptoms at a 3-day lag by 5%.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients who are allergic to A alternata, Alt a 1 levels can be considered an important marker for predicting the risk of respiratory symptoms.
Allergy Section, General University Hospital, Ciudad Real, Spain. feobrito1@gmail.com
F
F
Feo Brito
A M
AM
Alonso
J
J
Carnés
R
R
Martín-Martín
E
E
Fernández-Caldas
P A
PA
Galindo
T
T
Alfaya
M
M
Amo-Salas
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000391:Air Microbiology; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D000528:Alternaria / Q000276:immunology*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000379:methods; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000276:immunology*; D013170:Spores / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
C096258:ALTA1 protein, Alternaria alternata; D000485:Allergens; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005656:Fungal Proteins