FUNGAL AER0ALLERGENS IN ZARIA ATMOSPHERE: THE STUDY OF POSSIBLE ALLERGENICITY OF CRUDE ANTIGENS PREPARED FROM FUNGI ISOLATED FROM ZARIA ATMOSPHERE
FUNGAL AER0ALLERGENS IN ZARIA ATMOSPHERE: THE STUDY OF POSSIBLE ALLERGENICITY OF CRUDE ANTIGENS PREPARED FROM FUNGI ISOLATED FROM ZARIA ATMOSPHERE
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Date
1990-11
Authors
OLONITOLA, OLAYENI STEPHEN
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Abstract
A survey of fungal aeroallergens in Zaria
atmosphere was carried out by air sampling at
various points, namely open field (high and low
altitudes) homes of asthmatic and non-asthmatic
individuals, and an irrigation farm. A total of
38 genera of fungi were isolated from the open
field, ,21 from irrigation farm, 18 from the homes
of asthmatic patients and 10 from the homes of
non-asthmatic individuals. The most frequently
encountered genera of fungi in the open field were:
Fusarium (13.99%), Curvularia (12,7%), Saccharomyces
(10;58%)". Others were Oliocladium (9.15%), Aspergillus
(8.14.1%), Penicillium (8.01%), Helminthosporium
(5.914-%). The least commonly encountered
genera were Syncephalastrum, Spegazzinla, Pcstalotia,
Dreschslera, Cunninghamela, Chaetomium, Stylopage,
Monllla and Blastomyces. Gliocladium, Curvularia
and Penicillium dominated the fungal spor& of the
irrigation farm site accounting for 22.7%, 16.16%
and 10.92% of total farm isolates respectively,
while Aspergillus, Penicillium and Saccharomyces
dominated the homes of asthmatic and non-asthmatic
individuals - 20.98%, 20,6% and 12.31% respectively.
The level of fungal aorospora in the homes of
asthmatics and non-asthmatics was not significantly
different p • 0.05. The highest level of fungi
in the air was found to occur during the months
of January, November, December, May and February
(26%, 22.14.%, 21.1%,, 25.83% and 19.89% respectively).
This finding correlates well with the records of
asthma attendance at the Ahmadu Bello University
Teaching Hospital (Asthma Clinic). In an experimental
study of possible allergenicity of some of
these fungi (Curvularia, Rhizopus and mixtures of
antigens prepared from the two fungi) to rabbits,
it was found that antisera from animals #iven
intravenous route of inoculation caused visible
precipitin bands in agar gel, and at the same time
the route caused more basophil degranulation than
nasal and oral routes.' Curvularia caused a rise
of about 120% in the level of serum antibody
compared to a rise of about 30% caused by Rhizopus.
The route of inoculation did not influence the
differential blood counts when compared with the
normal, control animals, but affected the onset
and duration of symptoms. The concentrations of
each of the 3 antigens required to cause 50%
basophil degranulation were as follows: Curvularia
(63.8ug/ml), Rhizopus (59ug/ml) and mixed antigen
(73.9ug/ml). During t:he second challenge of the
animals with the same antigens, the concentrations
required to cause $0% basophil degranulation were
as follows: Curvularia (101.5lug/ml) Rhizopus
(96.!?1ug/ml) and the mixture of Curvularia and
Rhizopus (1l5.l6ug/ml). The physical reactions of
the animals to the first antigen challenge included
scratching of nose and mouth, resting posture,
increased breathing rate, stretching and rolling on
the floor, inability to stand on fpet etc. During
the second.challenge some of the animals died
within a week. None of the animals inoculated
through the oral route died. One animal each died
following intravenous inoculation with the antigens
during the second challenge, while all the animals
Itgiven
a second challenge with Rhizopus through the
nasal route died. The choi'b'e of Rhizopus antigen
for further immunologic studies was based on its
consistent isolation in the homes of asthmatic
patients.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Postgraduate School
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Science.
Department of Microbiology
Faculty of Sciences
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Keywords
FUNGAL,, AER0ALLERGENS,, ZARIA,, ATMOSPHERE,, STUDY,, POSSIBLE,, CRUDE,, ANTIGENS,, PREPARED,, FUNGI,, ISOLATED