Air sampling studies in tropical America (Venezuela). Frequency and periodicity of pollen and spores.

Updated information on airborne particles is not currently available in Venezuela. Thus the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory allergy in this country is by necessity based on imported data and allergens. We have therefore carried out air-sampling studies in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, a city with a tropical climate. A numerically constant pollen load was encountered in the air throughout the year. Most pollen was contributed by trees and by foreign species. A seasonal grass peak was observed in November which may be the cause of true pollinosis or hay fever. Pollen of the ragweed family was rarely observed. A great diversity of molds contributed to the annual spore count. The contribution of individual molds was rather low, thus casting some doubt on the potential role of airborne molds as allergens in the tropics. As in the case of pollen a rather constant load of mold spores was present in the air throughout the whole year.