Correlation between Alt a 1 levels and clinical symptoms in Alternaria alternata- monosensitized patients

Background: alternaria alternata is a risk factor for developing asthma. alt a 1,which has been described as the major allergen in a alternata,shows a good correlation with a alternata spores only when they have germinated. objectives: the objective of this study was to determine the correlation between spore counts and clinical symptoms in patients with allergic asthma and/or rhinitis monosensitized to a alternata. methods: two types of samplers were used to determine exposure: a burkard spore trap to collect a alternata spores and a high-volume air sampler to collect airborne particles. a total of 366 air filters were collected. alt a 1 levels were measured by monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. eighteen monosensitized patients were asked to record their daily symptoms throughout the year. results: a alternata spores were detected throughout the year,whereas alt a 1 was detected only between march and december. symptoms showed positive and significant correlations with spore counts (r=0.459,p<.001),and alt a 1 levels (r=0.294,p<.001). the correlation between spores and alt a 1 was low. the negative binomial model proved that an increase of 10 pg/m 3 in alt a 1 levels increased the number of symptoms at a 3-day lag by 5%. conclusions: in patients who are allergic to a alternata,alt a 1 levels can be considered an important marker for predicting the risk of respiratory symptoms. © 2012 esmon publicidad.