Aeromycological Survey of Delhi: Significance in Management of Respiratory Allergic Patients

Introduction: Aeroallergens are a significant cause of respiratory morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients with respiratory allergic disorders such as asthma and rhinitis. Understanding the prevalence of local aeroallergens is critical for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Airborne fungal spores, one of key component of aeroallergens, vary significantly with geographical and seasonal factors. This study focused on detecting and quantifying airborne fungal spores in New Delhi to better understand their contribution to respiratory allergic disorders. Aim: To analyse the prevalence and seasonal variations of airborne fungal spores in New Delhi through systematic air sampling. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted for one year at Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, New Delhi, India and air sampling was conducted over 69 systematic sampling days by vertically installed Air Sentinel device on the institute’s main hospital building roof to capture airborne fungal spores. Fungal spores were collected, their species identified through microscopic examination, and specific allergen levels quantified using immunochemical methods. Seasonal variations in fungal spore prevalence were analysed, along with the correlation between total and viable spore counts. Results: A total of 217,982 fungal spores were collected, with Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Epicoccum, and Drechslera identified as the predominant airborne species. Significant seasonal variations were observed in both total and viable spore counts. Immunochemical analysis demonstrated notable seasonal fluctuations in specific fungal aeroallergen levels; however, no significant correlation was found between these levels and total or viable spore counts with Rank corelations (Batschelet; 1981). Conclusion: This study highlights the significant seasonal variations in airborne fungal spore prevalence in New Delhi, India with Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Epicoccum, and Drechslera identified as the predominant species. While specific fungal aeroallergen levels fluctuated seasonally, they showed no significant correlation with total or viable spore counts. These findings highlight the importance of continuous air quality monitoring and targeted allergen assessment to better understand the impact of fungal spores on respiratory allergic disorders, guide targeted interventions, and improve patient outcomes in high aeroallergen exposure regions.