Allergen Update
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Predominant pollen:
The tree pollen seasons can fluctuate from year to year by as much as two to three weeks at this site due to the effect of weather. The pollen seasons described here try to cover the time when each can occur.
Acer sp.- The maple season lasts almost two weeks and can occur during the month of May. The counts range from low to high and may cause allergic reactions.
Alnus sp.- The alder season fluctuates from low to high counts throughout the season due to the number of species present and the effect of weather. The season is from the end of March to mid-June.
Quercus sp.- Oak does not occur in high numbers but is considered to be an important allergen. The season can occur from mid-May to mid-June with mostly low counts (occasional moderate counts are observed).
Betula sp.- There are two distinct seasons for the birch, the first one lasts less than one week and can occur in the first two weeks of May. The second main season lasts at least three weeks and can start from the second to third week of May and end between the third week of May to the third week of June. Counts vary from low to high range and the season is highly affected by weather conditions. Birch look-alikes' season is very sporadic and can occur May and June with some significant counts.
Cupressaceae group- Includes the cedars, junipers, and yews - Produces sporadic low to moderate counts from late March to early May. The seasons with significant counts last about one week. They may not play an important role in allergic reactions.
Pinaceae group- This group includes the pine, spruce and firs. Very high counts are observed and the season can start from mid-May to early June and end from early June to early July. They are a very significant group for those individuals who are sensitized.
Populus sp.- Poplar and aspen season lasts approximately three weeks with low to high counts and can occur from early April to mid-May. Will only cause allergic reactions in individuals who are highly sensitized.
Gramineae- The grass season starts mid to late May and lasts until late September . Very high counts are observed in the months of June and July.
Ambrosia sp.- Only very low counts are observed for ragweed from early August to mid-October.
Compositae- The composite family, for which many are flowering plants, produce sporadic counts from August to the end of September. Some are considered important in causing allergic reactions.
Rumex sp.- Dock or sorrel is an important allergen and produces significant counts from June to early July.
Solidago sp.- Goldenrod is a flowering plant, which produces sticky pollen and is mostly insect pollinated. The plant, however, is abundant at this collection site and sometimes significant number of pollen grains are captured on our samples. The majority of the season is from mid-August to mid-September.
Plantago sp.- The plantain season is from mid-June to mid-September and mostly low counts are observed. Even low counts can cause allergic reactions in highly sensitized individuals.
Predominant spores:
Ganoderma sp.- This spore is by far the most prevalent for total spores during the whole counting season. This is unusual since normally Cladosporium has the highest total count for the season in any location, so the abundance of Ganoderma is unique to this site. Considered to play an important role in allergic reactions and asthma. Very high counts are observed from June to late October.
Cladosporium sp.- This is one of the spores that can be found all year round. The relevant counts start in late March and the highest counts are seen from late May until fall.
Caloplaca sp.- Sporadic throughout the counting season with some high counts from May to mid-October. Medical significance is unknown.
Alternaria sp.- Moderate to high counts are observed from mid-June to mid-October. Some species are known to cause allergic reactions.
Drechslera sp.- The counts are never very high. This is mostly a summer and fall spore. There are other related genera, which are also found in air samples, that can cause respiratory problems. One example is Bipolaris sp.
Epicoccum sp.- July to mid-October is when the highest counts for this fungal spore are seen in our samples. The counts may reach high enough numbers to be of clinical significance.
Diatrypaceae sp.- Very sporadic counts from late March to late fall. Clinical significance is unknown.
Leptosphaeria sp. & Leptosphaeria look-alikes- Sporadic counts from late April to late fall. Very high counts are observed and they could be of medical significance.
Erysephe sp. (Oospora sp.)- Powdery mildew - Moderate to high counts are observed from April to mid-October. Clinical significance is not known.
Boletus sp.- A type of mushroom where siginificant number of spores are observed from mid-June to mid-October. Considered an important allergen.
Coprinus sp.- Significant counts are observed from mid-May to mid-October. Considered to be a significant allergen.
Uredinales sp.- Rusts are found in high numbers from June to late fall.
Ustilaginales sp.- The smuts are found in high numbers from late May to late fall.
Aspergillus sp. & Penicillium sp.- These two genera can occur throughout our counting season from March to the end of October. High counts are observed from mid-March until fall. They are considered important allergens.
Helicomyces sp.- Very high counts are observed throughout our counting season. Counts are very sporadic which is due to the effect of weather and the number of species present. Highest counts occur from June to mid-October.
Fusarium sp.- Counts fluctuate throughout the season which is normal for this fungus. The majority of the season is from May to late fall. A significant allergen.
Polythrincium sp.- Moderate counts are observed from mid-June to mid-October. Medical significance is unknown.
Myxomycetes- Sporadic counts from late March to the end of September. Mostly in the moderate range.
Last Updated: 03-March-2006
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