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The possible role of aero‐allergens in the epidemic of asthma deaths
Author(s) -
JENKINS P. F.,
MULLINS J.,
DAVIES B. H.,
WILLIAMS D. A.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1981.tb02182.x
Subject(s) - asthma , etiology , medicine , immunology , demography , environmental health , pathology , sociology
Summary The ‘epidemic’ of asthma deaths observed m the mid 1960s remains unexplained; various aetiological factors having been suggested. We suggest that aero‐allergenic factors may have been important based on an analysis of aero‐allergens in Cardiff over a 17‐year period: a striking temporal association exists between the concentration of hyaline ascospores and increased asthma deaths. These spores, which are particularly prevalent in the summer months, have been inadequately studied as a cause of severe asthma.