Dictionary of Allergies .. Airborne allergens

Airborne allergens

Common biologic aeroallergen sources are the following: 

1) Microbes: (a) Bacterial growth in water reservoirs which create cells and fragments, metabolites in droplets.  (b) Thermophilic actinomycetes in heating systems (spores, metabolites in droplets).  (c) Fungi (mold, mildew) on dead plants, fabrics, etc. (spores, fragments, metabolites on particles).  (d) Other fungi (mushrooms, plant pathogens) which create spores and fragments.

2) Plants:  (a) Algae growing in water reservoirs (cells and fragments, metabolites in droplets).  (b) Spores Primitive green plants (mosses, ferns, etc.). (c) Pollen of Gymnosperms (pines, cedars, Junipers, cypresses, etc.)  (d) Pollen of other trees (birch, elm, oak, maple, etc.).  (e) Pollen of weeds (ragweed, parietaria, ec.).

3) Animals: (a) Protoan metabolites in droplets.  (b) Fecal particles or body parts of arthropods (mites, insects, etc.). (c) Fecal materials, dander of birds (pigeons, parakeets, etc.). (d) Saliva, urine, dander of mammals (cats, dogs, rats, mice, horses, etc.).

References

Chew G. L., Correa J. C., Perzanowski M. S.. Mouse and cockroach allergens in the dust and air in northeastern United States inner-city public high schools. Indoor Air, August 2005, 15:4: 228-234.