Impact of Aerobiology on Asthma and Atopic Dermatitis in Puerto Rico; and Fungal Aeroallergens as Potential Predictors of Flu and COVID-19 in Puerto Rico

Document Type

Lecture

Publication Date

4-25-2025

Abstract

Félix Rivera-Mariani, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, spoke at the 2025 Puerto Rico Society of Microbiologists annual meeting. Rivera-Mariani was joined by Benjamín Bolaños-Rosero, associate professor of Microbiology at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, director of the San Juan and Caguas Aeroallergen stations and former P.h.D. advisor of Rivera-Mariani. Together, they discussed the environmental impact of endemic aeroallergens in Puerto Rico's atmosphere and their effect on residents' respiratory health.

The presentation emphasized the high levels of outdoor aeroallergens, including fungal spores and their connection to asthma and skin conditions like atopic dermatitis. Rivera-Mariani used advanced data analysis methods such as multivariate analysis, logistic regression and random forest modeling to help predict respiratory infections, including influenza and COVID-19.

Their collaboration highlighted the importance of combining ecological health, microbiology, advanced computational data analysis and public health research to help create better disease prevention and early detection strategies.

Host

Amphitheater I of the Guillermo Arbona Building (3rd floor) at the University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus

Conference/Symposium

Puerto Rico Society for Microbiologists Annual Symposium

City/State

San Juan, PR

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Comments

Invited speaker.

Theme: Microbial Connections in One Health: Integrating Human, Animal, and Environmental Health

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