Paredes Idiaquez, A., Calderón-Llosa, O., Feliciano, M., & Sánchez-Reyes, E. (2025). Analysis of Airborne Fungal Spores in Lima, Perú (2021–2024): Seven Clinically Important Spore Types. Atmosphere, 16(9), 1069.
[EN]Fungal spore calendars help illustrate the abundance and distribution of spores throughout
the year, enabling clinicians and patients to predict and treat allergic symptoms based
on spore presence and concentration. This three-year study (2021–2024) established the
first fungal spore calendar for the most clinically important spore types in Lima, Perú:
Alternaria, Cladosporium, Nigrospora, Curvularia, Drechslera, Fusarium, and Stemphylium. Air
sampling was performed using a Burkard volumetric spore trap placed on the rooftop
of SANNA Clínica el Golf in San Isidro, Lima. Cladosporium was the most abundant
(37,945 spores/m3), followed by Nigrospora (11,558), Curvularia (3946), Fusarium (2454),
Alternaria (2138), Drechslera (1850), and Stemphylium (201). The highest concentrations of
Alternaria, Nigrospora, Curvularia, and Drechslera were recorded in 2023–2024, with seasonal
peaks mainly during spring/summer. Meteorological correlations showed that Alternaria,
Cladosporium, Nigrospora, and Curvularia were positively correlated with temperature while
Drechslera had a negative correlation. Cladosporium, Curvularia, Fusarium, and Stemphylium
were negatively correlated with relative humidity, while other types showed a mix of both
positive and negative responses or inverse responses. These two meteorological parameters
are likely the main influences on spore concentrations; however, other factors may include
other meteorological parameters. Cladosporium correlated positively with southwesterly
winds, and negatively with northwesterly, winds, and Curvularia was positively correlated
with northeasterly winds.
