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.
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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
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