Mersin İli Atmosferik Polen ve Sporlarının Araştırılması

Abstract

In this study, the atmospheric pollen and spores from Mersin province are researched by using volumetric method between the 1st of March, 2016 and the 28th of February, 2018. The daily, weekly, monthly and annually distribution of the pollen and spores that had been obtained during the study were identified and their calendars were prepared. The relationship of pollen and spores between the meteorological factors was investigated using Spearman’s rho analysis. During the two-year-study, 37444 pollen/m3 from 46 different taxons; 25 tree/shrub, 1 Poaceae and 20 other herbaceous plants, were identified in total. It was found that the total amount of pollen belonged to tree/shrub by 81,9%, Poaceae by 5,8%, other herbaceous by 12,1% and unidentified taxons by 0,2%. In the first year, 19044 pollen/m3 was identified in the air and 18400 pollen/m3 in the second year. It was observed that the density of pollen was at its peak in March, April and May. In the atmosphere, the following pollen from different taxa was discovered densely respectively: Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (22,87%), Pinaceae (22,11%), Oleaceae (11,02%), Fabaceae (6,67%), Parietaria (5,86%), Poaceae (5,85%) and Fraxinus (4,37%). Besides, 106940 spores/m3 were recognised from the taxa Alternaria by 11,7% and Cladosporium by 88,3% in total in this region’s atmosphere. It was identified that these spores become dense between April and July. According to the statistical research; while relative humidity, wind speed and sunshine duration usually have a positive effect, rainfall has a negative effect on the total number of pollen and spores. This study was carried out in cooperation with Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Allergy. The patients who are followed by the Pediatric Allergy Clinic between the ages of 6-18, living in Mersin at least for two years, having allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma diagnosis and being allergic to at least one type of pollen and/or fungus were included in the study. A total number of 42 allergic patients and 20 healthy children as the control group were included in the research. The symptom scores, inflammation indicators and respiratory function tests of the patients were followed and their correlation between the weekly pollen census was investigated during a year. It was observed that the symptoms of the patients became intensified and the drug use increased during the pollen period. While the fractional exhale nitric oxide (FeNO) values of the patients were increasing comparing to the control group during the year, no statistically meaningful difference was determined during the pollen period. The pollen period averages of the inflammation indicators serum IgE value and level of periostin, which are tested in serum, were detected to be different from the control group. Besides, there was not a meaningful difference in the levels of serum Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP). As a result, with the data obtained from this study, it is provided to determine the pollination season which is very important in diagnosing, entreating and following the people who are allergic to pollen and spores.