220 Aerobiological Study of Anemophilous Pollens in the City of Toluca, Mexico

BACKGROUND: The pollen dispersal by wind is a natural event of great biological significance and an etiological factor in the genesis of allergic respiratory diseases. This is the first such study carried out in the city of Toluca, Mexico. OBJECTIVE: To present the data of collected pollen from September 2004 to September 2005. METHODS: The pollen was collected, using a Hirst type 7-day recording volumetric Spore Trap. According to the British Aerobiology Federation, we decided to read 12 sweeps in 24 hours in a transverse to have the mean pollen count. Standard equipment used for aerobiological sampling worldwide was used. Statistical analysis is a descriptive study using the SPSS Software. RESULTS: We found 14, 078.61 pollen grains, coming from 32 diferent pollinic types in the 12 Transverse traverses in the year analized. The 6 leading taxa, in order of abundance, were: Cupressaceae (49%), Oleaceae genus Fraxinus sp (17%), Betulaceae genus Alnus (14%), Pinaceae (11%), Gramineae (6%), Asteraceae or Compositae (3%). The most prevalent months regarding pollen counts were January and February 2005 in wich Cupressaceae and Oleaceae genus Fraxinus were accounted. CONCLUSIONS: In aerobiological terms both Cupressaceae and Fraxinus seem to be a major risk for potential sensitized individuals due to its known allergenicity and its high atmospheric concentrations between late winter and early spring, followed by Alnus, Pinaceae, Gramineae, Asteraceae, Casuarinaceae, Schinus, Cheno/Amp and Moraceae. This is the first effort to create the Mexican Aerobiological Network (REMA), and further studies are needed to correlate clinical data.