School of BioSciences - Research Publications

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Author: Erbas, Bircan × Author: Newbigin, Edward × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2010 × Type: Journal Article ×

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    Outdoor pollen is a trigger of child and adolescent asthma emergency department presentations: A systematic review and meta-analysis
    Erbas, B ; Jazayeri, M ; Lambert, KA ; Katelaris, CH ; Prendergast, LA ; Tham, R ; Parrodi, MJ ; Davies, J ; Newbigin, E ; Abramson, MJ ; Dharmage, SC (WILEY, 2018-08)
    BACKGROUND: In the context of increased asthma exacerbations associated with climatic changes such as thunderstorm asthma, interest in establishing the link between pollen exposure and asthma hospital admissions has intensified. Here, we systematically reviewed and performed a meta-analysis of studies on pollen and emergency department (ED) attendance. METHODS: A search for studies with appropriate search strategy in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and CINAHL was conducted. Each study was assessed for quality and risk of bias. The available evidence was summarized both qualitatively and meta-analysed using random-effects models when moderate heterogeneity was observed. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included. The pollen taxa investigated differed between studies, allowing meta-analysis only of the effect of grass pollen. A statistically significant increase in the percentage change in the mean number of asthma ED presentations (MPC) (pooled results from 3 studies) was observed for an increase in 10 grass pollen grains per cubic metre of exposure 1.88% (95% CI = 0.94%, 2.82%). Time series studies showed positive correlations between pollen concentrations and ED presentations. Age-stratified studies found strongest associations in children aged 5-17 years old. CONCLUSION: Exposure to ambient grass pollen is an important trigger for childhood asthma exacerbations requiring ED attendance. As pollen exposure is increasingly a problem especially in relation to thunderstorm asthma, studies with uniform measures of pollen and similar analytical methods are necessary to fully understand its impact on human health.
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    The Macroecology of Airborne Pollen in Australian and New Zealand Urban Areas
    Haberle, SG ; Bowman, DMJS ; Newnham, RM ; Johnston, FH ; Beggs, PJ ; Buters, J ; Campbell, B ; Erbas, B ; Godwin, I ; Green, BJ ; Huete, A ; Jaggard, AK ; Medek, D ; Murray, F ; Newbigin, E ; Thibaudon, M ; Vicendese, D ; Williamson, GJ ; Davies, JM ; Bohrer, G (PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE, 2014-05-29)
    The composition and relative abundance of airborne pollen in urban areas of Australia and New Zealand are strongly influenced by geographical location, climate and land use. There is mounting evidence that the diversity and quality of airborne pollen is substantially modified by climate change and land-use yet there are insufficient data to project the future nature of these changes. Our study highlights the need for long-term aerobiological monitoring in Australian and New Zealand urban areas in a systematic, standardised, and sustained way, and provides a framework for targeting the most clinically significant taxa in terms of abundance, allergenic effects and public health burden.
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    Differences in grass pollen allergen exposure across Australia
    Beggs, PJ ; Katelaris, CH ; Medek, D ; Johnston, FH ; Burton, PK ; Campbell, B ; Jaggard, AK ; Vicendese, D ; Bowman, DMJS ; Godwin, I ; Huete, AR ; Erbas, B ; Green, BJ ; Newnham, RM ; Newbigin, E ; Haberle, SG ; Davies, JM (WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2015-02)
    OBJECTIVE: Allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma are important chronic diseases posing serious public health issues in Australia with associated medical, economic, and societal burdens. Pollen are significant sources of clinically relevant outdoor aeroallergens, recognised as both a major trigger for, and cause of, allergic respiratory diseases. This study aimed to provide a national, and indeed international, perspective on the state of Australian pollen data using a large representative sample. METHODS: Atmospheric grass pollen concentration is examined over a number of years within the period 1995 to 2013 for Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, and Sydney, including determination of the 'clinical' grass pollen season and grass pollen peak. RESULTS: The results of this study describe, for the first time, a striking spatial and temporal variability in grass pollen seasons in Australia, with important implications for clinicians and public health professionals, and the Australian grass pollen-allergic community. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that static pollen calendars are of limited utility and in some cases misleading. This study also highlights significant deficiencies and limitations in the existing Australian pollen monitoring and data. IMPLICATIONS: Establishment of an Australian national pollen monitoring network would help facilitate advances in the clinical and public health management of the millions of Australians with asthma and allergic rhinitis.