Projections of the effects of climate change on allergic asthma: the contribution of aerobiology

• Published in: Allergy (Copenhagen) Vol. 65; no. 9; pp. 1073 - 1081
• Main Authors: Cecchi, L, D'Amato, G, Ayres, J.G, Galan, C, Forastiere, F, Forsberg, B, Gerritsen, J, Nunes, C, Behrendt, H, Akdis, C, Dahl, R, Annesi-Maesano, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2010; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Blackwell; Wiley
• Subjects: adverse effects; Air Pollutants; Air Pollutants - immunology; Air Pollution; Air Pollution - adverse effects; Allergens; Allergens - immunology; allergic diseases; Asthma; Asthma - etiology; Asthma - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma; Climate change; Dermatology; environment; etiology; Europe; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Fungi; Fungi - immunology; Fungi - physiology; Greenhouse Effect; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity - etiology; Hypersensitivity - immunology; immunology; Life Sciences; Medical sciences; physiology; Plant Development; Plants; Plants - immunology; Pneumology; Pollen; Pollen - immunology; Santé publique et épidémiologie; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; spores; Spores, Fungal; Spores, Fungal - immunology; Europe; European Union; Lung disease; Allergy; Immunopathology; Respiratory disease; Dermatology; Spores; allergic diseases; Asthma; Dynamical climatology; Climate change; Immunology; Bronchus disease; Environment; Pollen; Obstructive pulmonary disease; Aérobiology; environment; pollen; spores; climate change
• ISSN: 0105-4538; 1398-9995; 1398-9995
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2010.02423.x

To cite this article: Cecchi L, D'Amato G, Ayres JG, Galan C, Forastiere F, Forsberg B, Gerritsen J, Nunes C, Behrendt H, Akdis C, Dahl R, Annesi-Maesano I. Projections of the effects of climate change on allergic asthma: the contribution of aerobiology. Allergy 2010; 65: 1073-1081. Climate change is unequivocal and represents a possible threat for patients affected by allergic conditions. It has already had an impact on living organisms, including plants and fungi with current scenarios projecting further effects by the end of the century. Over the last three decades, studies have shown changes in production, dispersion and allergen content of pollen and spores, which may be region- and species-specific. In addition, these changes may have been influenced by urban air pollutants interacting directly with pollen. Data suggest an increasing effect of aeroallergens on allergic patients over this period, which may also imply a greater likelihood of the development of an allergic respiratory disease in sensitized subjects and exacerbation of symptomatic patients. There are a number of limitations that make predictions uncertain, and further and specifically designed studies are needed to clarify current effects and future scenarios. We recommend: More stress on pollen/spore exposure in the diagnosis and treatment guidelines of respiratory and allergic diseases; collection of aerobiological data in a structured way at the European level; creation, promotion and support of multidisciplinary research teams in this area; lobbying the European Union and other funders to finance this research.