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Asthma outbreak during a thunderstorm.

G E Packe, J G Ayres

    Lancet (London, England)
    |July 27, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    An asthma outbreak in Birmingham was linked to a thunderstorm and a surge in airborne fungal spores. Researchers suggest these fungal spores may have contributed to the sudden increase in acute asthma cases.

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    Area of Science:

    • Environmental Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Mycology

    Background:

    • Acute asthma outbreaks can be triggered by environmental factors.
    • Sudden climatic changes, such as thunderstorms, have been anecdotally linked to respiratory distress.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the cause of an acute asthma outbreak in Birmingham on July 6-7, 1983.
    • To determine the role of environmental factors, including air pollution and fungal spores, in the outbreak.

    Main Methods:

    • Observational study during the asthma outbreak.
    • Monitoring of air quality and airborne fungal spore counts.
    • Clinical assessment of asthma patients.

    Main Results:

    • A significant increase in acute asthma cases was observed.

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  • Symptoms coincided with a thunderstorm and sudden climatic changes.
  • Air pollution levels were not identified as a contributing factor.
  • A notable rise in airborne fungal spores, specifically Didymella exitialis and Sporobolomyces, was recorded concurrently with the outbreak.

    • Conclusions:

    • Sudden climatic changes associated with thunderstorms may precipitate acute asthma attacks.
    • Airborne fungal spores, particularly Didymella exitialis and Sporobolomyces, are suggested as potential contributors to the outbreak.
    • Further research is needed to establish a direct causal link between specific fungal spores and asthma exacerbation.