Aerobiology

Co-exposure to airborne pollen and fungal spores is increasingly recognized as a contributor to asthma and allergic rhinitis, especially as climatic shifts since 2020 have intensified their seasonal overlap. We systematically searched PubMed and Google Scholar for studies published between 2020 and 2025 that assessed simultaneous pollen–fungi exposure and respiratory outcomes. Screening was performed independently by two reviewers, resulting in 12 eligible studies out of 320 records. Meta-analysis was not feasible due to substantial heterogeneity in exposure definitions, taxa, outcome measures, and analytical approaches. Overall, the studies indicate that short-term co-exposure tends to worsen respiratory symptoms and increase emergency visits or asthma exacerbations, with stronger effects in children, polysensitized individuals, and urban settings. However, effect sizes varied considerably across regions and methodologies. Environmental and climatological papers provided context for seasonal overlap but did not contribute clinical data. Current evidence suggests a potential synergistic effect, though more standardized exposure metrics are needed to refine risk estimates.

International interests in bioaerosols have gained an increased attention to widen the knowledge pool of their identification, distribution, and quantification. Aeromycota signify a complex and diverse group of fungi dispersed through the atmosphere. Aeromycology is an important field of research due to its important role in human health. Aeromycoflora both indoors and outdoors, are responsible for many allergies and other respiratory diseases. The present review describes the diversity of the aeromycoflora, the techniques used for sampling, identification, and taxonomic classification, and the limitations of the traditional culture-based methods as they fail to detect unculturable species. Furthermore, the spatial and temporal variability in aeromycota complicate consistent monitoring. Both indoor and outdoor environments harbor airborne fungi. The diversity in indoor environments is greatly shaped by the moisture content, building design, and ventilation, which are further taken into consideration. Further, the health impacts of the indoor and outdoor fungi have been discussed and what control measures can be taken to reduce the exposure risks and management strategies that can be adopted. Artificial intelligence (AI) can bring revolution in this field of research and can help in improving detection, monitoring, and classification of airborne fungi. The review finally outlines the emerging role of AI in aeromycology.

Urban environments constitute of spaces in which the majority of humankind reside, work and recreate [...]