Pollen season trends as markers of climate change impact:Betula, Quercus and Poaceae

The incidences of respiratory allergies are at an all-time high. Pollen aeroallergens can reflect changing climate, with recent studies in Europe showing some, but not all, pollen types are increasing in severity, season duration and experiencing an earlier onset. This study aimed to identify pollen trends in the UK over the last twenty-six years for a range of pollen sites, with a focus on the key pollen types of Poaceae (grass), Betula (birch) and Quercus (oak) and to examine the relationship of these trends with meteorological factors. Betula pollen seasons show no significant trends for onset, first high day or duration but increasing pollen production in the Midlands region of the UK is being driven by warmer temperatures in the previous June and July. Quercus pollen seasons are starting earlier, due to increasing temperature and sunshine totals in April, but are not becoming more severe. The seasons are lasting longer, although no significant climate drivers for this were identified. The first high day of the Poaceae pollen season is occurring earlier in central UK regions due to an increasing trend for all temperature variables in the previous December, January, April, May and June. Severity and duration of the season show no significant trends and are spatially and temporally variable. Important changes are occurring in the UK pollen seasons that will impact on the health of respiratory allergy sufferers, with more severe Betula pollen seasons and longer Quercus pollen seasons. Most of the changes identified were caused by climate drivers of increasing temperature and sunshine total. However, Poaceae pollen seasons are neither becoming more severe nor longer. The reasons for this included a lack of change in some monthly meteorological variables, or land-use change, such as grassland being replaced by urban areas or woodland

Predicting the severity of the grass pollen season and the effect of climate change in Northwest Europe

Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation in the nose caused by overreaction of the immune system to allergens in the air. Managing allergic rhinitis symptoms is challenging and requires timely intervention. The following are major questions often posed by those with allergic rhinitis: How should I prepare for the forthcoming season? How will the season's severity develop over the years? No country yet provides clear guidance addressing these questions. We propose two previously unexplored approaches for forecasting the severity of the grass pollen season on the basis of statistical and mechanistic models. The results suggest annual severity is largely governed by preseasonal meteorological conditions. The mechanistic model suggests climate change will increase the season severity by up to 60%, in line with experimental chamber studies. These models can be used as forecasting tools for advising individuals with hay fever and health care professionals how to prepare for the grass pollen season

The use of molecular markers in the study of the origin and evolution of Japanese Knotweed sensu lato

Japanese Knotweed s.l. comprises taxa from the genus Fallopia section Reynoutria, and were introduced to Britain from Asia during the 19th century. The hybrids are believed to have arisen since the introduction of the parental species. Inter-simple-sequence-repeat (ISSR) PCR was used to determine genotypes to examine the potential for sexual reproduction of F. x bohemica in Britain. At one site in Wales the distribution of the two parents and the resultant hybrid offspring were mapped, their genotypes assessed, and the relationships between the genotypes discussed. Evidence was found that both clonal spread and sexual reproduction play a role in the distribution of these plants. Twenty-six genotypes of established hexaploid and two of octoploid F. x bohemica were detected, indicative of continuous new recruitment to the population. Three locations in Britain where both male-fertile and male-sterile tetraploid hybrids are found were analysed for both chloroplast haplotype and genotype. Chloroplast haplotypes were determined by RFLP-PCR analysis of the chloroplast region trnC-trnD, and used to identify the direction of the cross that produced the F. x bohemica. Hybridisation was shown to occur in both directions. In total, ten different genotypes of established tetraploid F. x bohemica were detected, with no common genotype found between the different sites. Genetic diversity among British F. sachalinensis was examined. Most were found to be one of two genotypes, either a widespread male-fertile, or a widespread male-sterile clone. A molecular biogeographical study of F. japonica and F. sachalinensis in Japan was undertaken using PCR RFLPs of six chloroplast regions, trnK¹-trnK², trnC-trnD, trnF-trnV, trnH-trnK, trnD-trnT, and trnM-rbcL. The probable region of the source of the introduced material was identified. Additionally a sub-set of the plants was sequenced to better understand the relationships between the native taxa. To complement the molecular analysis, morphological and cytological investigations were also conducted

The use of molecular markers in the study of the origin and evolution of Japanese Knotweed sensu lato

Japanese Knotweed s.l. comprises taxa from the genus Fallopia section Reynoutria, and were introduced to Britain from Asia during the 19th century. The hybrids are believed to have arisen since the introduction of the parental species. Inter-simple-sequence-repeat (ISSR) PCR was used to determine genotypes to examine the potential for sexual reproduction of F. x bohemica in Britain. At one site in Wales the distribution of the two parents and the resultant hybrid offspring were mapped, their genotypes assessed, and the relationships between the genotypes discussed. Evidence was found that both clonal spread and sexual reproduction play a role in the distribution of these plants. Twenty-six genotypes of established hexaploid and two of octoploid F. x bohemica were detected, indicative of continuous new recruitment to the population. Three locations in Britain where both male-fertile and male-sterile tetraploid hybrids are found were analysed for both chloroplast haplotype and genotype. Chloroplast haplotypes were determined by RFLP-PCR analysis of the chloroplast region trnC-trnD, and used to identify the direction of the cross that produced the F. x bohemica. Hybridisation was shown to occur in both directions. In total, ten different genotypes of established tetraploid F. x bohemica were detected, with no common genotype found between the different sites. Genetic diversity among British F. sachalinensis was examined. Most were found to be one of two genotypes, either a widespread male-fertile, or a widespread male-sterile clone. A molecular biogeographical study of F. japonica and F. sachalinensis in Japan was undertaken using PCR RFLPs of six chloroplast regions, trnK¹-trnK², trnC-trnD, trnF-trnV, trnH-trnK, trnD-trnT, and trnM-rbcL. The probable region of the source of the introduced material was identified. Additionally a sub-set of the plants was sequenced to better understand the relationships between the native taxa. To complement the molecular analysis, morphological and cytological investigations were also conducted.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Ragweed pollen: is climate change creating a new aeroallergen problem in the UK?

Ragweed pollen: is climate change creating a new aeroallergen problem in the UK

Fungal Bronchitis and not allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

We would like to thank Seghal et al. for their interest in our study and acknowledge their contribution to our understanding of the role of fungal allergy in lung disease.1,2 They express two concerns. Firstly they question the appropriateness of the term fungal bronchitis and secondly the novelty of the report because they believe it is well-established that anti-fungal therapy is effective in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)

Fungal bronchitis is a distinct clinical entity which is responsive to antifungal therapy

Chronic productive cough in the context of exacerbations of airway disease can be associated with positive sputum cultures for fungi, in particular Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida spp., suggesting fungal bronchitis, a condition not widely recognised, as a possible cause for the exacerbation. Our objective was to determine the response to antifungal therapy in patients with suspected fungal bronchitis. Retrospective analysis of data extracted from case records of patients under secondary care respiratory clinics who had been treated with triazole therapy for suspected fungal bronchitis between 2010–2017. Primary outcome was lung function response after 1 month of treatment. Nineteen patients with fungal bronchitis due to A. fumigatus and 12 patients due to Candida spp., were included in the study. Most of the patients, particularly in the Aspergillus group, had allergic fungal airway disease on a background of asthma. All but one of the patients in each group were recorded as showing clinical improvement with antifungal therapy. In the majority of patients this was reflected in an improvement in lung function. Aspergillus group: FEV1 (1.44 ± 0.8 L vs 1.6 ± 0.8 L: p < 0.02), FVC (2.49 ± 1.08 L vs 2.8 ± 1.1 L: p = 0.01), and PEF (260 ± 150L/min vs 297 ± 194ml/min: p < 0.02). Candida group: FEV1 (1.6 ± 0.76 L vs 2.0 ± 0.72 L: p < 0.004), FVC (2.69 ± 0.91 L vs 3.13 ± 0.7 L: p = 0.05), and PEF (271± 139L/min vs 333 ± 156 L/min: p = 0.01). Side effects of treatment were common, but resolved on stopping treatment. This service improvement project supports the idea that fungal bronchitis is a distinct clinical entity which is responsive to treatment. Controlled clinical trials to confirm the clinical impression that this is relatively common and treatable complication of complex airway disease are required

Higher airborne pollen concentrations correlated with increased SARS-CoV-2 infection rates, as evidenced from 31 countries across the globe

Pollen exposure weakens the immunity against certain seasonal respiratory viruses by diminishing the antiviral interferon response. Here we investigate whether the same applies to the pandemic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is sensitive to antiviral interferons, if infection waves coincide with high airborne pollen concentrations. Our original hypothesis was that more airborne pollen would lead to increases in infection rates. To examine this, we performed a cross-sectional and longitudinal data analysis on SARS-CoV-2 infection, airborne pollen, and meteorological factors. Our dataset is the most comprehensive, largest possible worldwide from 130 stations, across 31 countries and five continents. To explicitly investigate the effects of social contact, we additionally considered population density of each study area, as well as lockdown effects, in all possible combinations: without any lockdown, with mixed lockdown−no lockdown regime, and under complete lockdown. We found that airborne pollen, sometimes in synergy with humidity and temperature, explained, on average, 44% of the infection rate variability. Infection rates increased after higher pollen concentrations most frequently during the four previous days. Without lockdown, an increase of pollen abundance by 100 pollen/m3 resulted in a 4% average increase of infection rates. Lockdown halved infection rates under similar pollen concentrations. As there can be no preventive measures against airborne pollen exposure, we suggest wide dissemination of pollen−virus coexposure dire effect information to encourage high-risk individuals to wear particle filter masks during high springtime pollen concentrations.</p