Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40302853›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in allergy2025

Exposure to outdoor aerospora and associated respiratory health risks among adults in Potchefstroom, North-West province, South Africa.

Dorra Gharbi, Frank Harald Neumann, Keneilwe Podile, Marinda McDonald, Jo-Hanné Linde, Megan Frampton, Jennifer Leigh Liebenberg, Sarel Cilliers, Tshiamo Mmatladi, Phumelele Nkosi and 9 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in allergy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

19 authors.

Dorra GharbiInstitute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Frank Harald NeumannUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Keneilwe PodileUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Marinda McDonaldThe Allergy Clinic, Blairgowrie, South Africa.
Jo-Hanné LindeUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Megan FramptonThe Allergy Clinic, Blairgowrie, South Africa.
Jennifer Leigh LiebenbergUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Sarel CilliersUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Tshiamo MmatladiUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Phumelele NkosiUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Keamogestswe PalediUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Stuart PikethUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Jurgens StaatsFaculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Roelof P BurgerUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Henno HavengaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Rebecca M GarlandDepartment of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Petra BesterAfrica Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Pedro Humberto LebreCentre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Cristian RicciAfrica Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Data on allergic rhinitis and respiratory health metrics are limited for South Africa, with grass pollen as a key outdoor aeroallergen. Exotic trees such as plane trees and ragweed produce highly allergenic pollen, dominating indigenous trees and weeds. Pollen allergy prevalence data is lacking in cities of North-West province such as Potchefstroom. Objectives: This study aimed to (i) assess the prevalence of allergies to major aeroallergens, including Poaceae (grasses), Methods: Skin prick tests (SPTs) were performed on 202 adults aged 18-64 years with confirmed allergic symptoms during a field campaign at North-West University (NWU)'s Potchefstroom campus. A test panel of grass, weed, tree, and fungal spore extracts previously identified via aerobiological monitoring was used. Symptom scores were recorded using ISAAC questionnaires; Results: Among the participants, 184 (91%) exhibited positive SPT reactions: 104 (57%) are monosensitized to pollen, 45 (24%) to fungal spores, and 35 (19%) are polysensitized. Aeroallergen prevalence was higher in females (73%) than in males (27%). The most common pollen allergens were Discussion & Conclusion: This pilot study linked aeroallergens detected in Potchefstroom with allergy profiles of local residents. The findings highlight the need for more comprehensive regional studies that integrate allergen testing with aerobiological data. Raising awareness and implementing health strategies are essential for managing allergic rhinitis in South Africa. More affordable and available SPTs kits, adapted to allergy prevalence in South Africa, are strongly suggested.

Indexed as

aeroallergensfungipollensPotchefstroomrespiratory diseasesskin prick testsSouth Africa

Identifiers

PMID40302853
PMCPMC12037600

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.