Melbourne's Spring Sneezes: 1 in 5 Residents Hit
Researchers use DNA metabarcoding to identify allergenic grasses behind the city's notorious hay fever and seasonal asthma, which can trigger deadly thunderstorm asthma events
About one in five Melburnians experience a surge in respiratory conditions like hay fever and seasonal asthma during spring, as the city's air becomes laden with pollen from plants in bloom.
The main culprit behind these respiratory issues is allergens in grass pollen, with Melbourne's pollen count measured and published daily from October to December. However, current air monitoring can only distinguish grass pollen from other types, but cannot identify which specific grass is producing it.
Researchers have been using DNA metabarcoding, a method for identifying all the species that have left traces of genetic material in a sample, to identify the types of grass producing pollen in Melbourne's air over two consecutive years. This is crucial because some grasses are far more allergenic than others, and knowing the specific types of grass can help allergists choose the best treatment for patients.
Severe spring storms can trigger thunderstorm asthma events, which hit Melbourne on average once every seven years. The city experienced the world's largest epidemic thunderstorm asthma event in 2016, resulting in over 3,500 emergency department presentations and 10 deaths. This event caused a 672% increase in respiratory hospital admissions, highlighting the deadly potential of these events.
## Why it matters Understanding which grasses produce the most allergenic pollen can help flag periods of highest risk for thunderstorm asthma events. By tracking when these grasses are in the air, researchers can provide early warnings for residents and help them take necessary precautions. This can be especially crucial for the one in five Melburnians who experience respiratory issues during spring, and can help reduce the risk of deadly thunderstorm asthma events.
The use of DNA metabarcoding to identify allergenic grasses is a significant step forward in understanding and mitigating the effects of hay fever and seasonal asthma in Melbourne. As researchers continue to study the types of grass producing pollen in the city's air, they may be able to develop more effective treatments and warnings for residents, ultimately reducing the impact of these respiratory conditions on the community.
