MYCOLOGY
and undesirable outcomes. This is also the case with our Christmas festivities, and in particular our tradition of erecting and decorating Christmas trees within our homes and offices. While colourful and festive, Christmas trees are not without biological risk. I hear a quote from Ebenezer Scrooge, ‘bah humbug’, on our readers’ lips. However, as Miguel de Cervantes quoted in the 16th century, ‘being forewarned is forearmed,’ and we should at least understand the risks associated, and how we may manage and mitigate them. For the minority, a live Christmas tree is ill advised, and alternatives should be sought.
Preventative measures There are a number of measures that can be taken to reduce the risk, the most effective being to not have a live tree in the house or office. Some suggest waiting to put a real tree until later in the festive season and only keep it in the house for a week. Other preventative measures include, installing an air purifier into the room, as well as washing and shaking the tree before bringing it into the home. Additionally mould and mildew spray protectants can be used. Alternatively an artificial tree can be used. But even artificial trees and decorations can also build up dust and moulds whilst in storage. To reduce this risk artificial trees should be stored in tightly sealed waterproof containers. To provide a risk-free Christmas, Wedi in a 2016 article (tongue firmly in cheek) suggests that to remain safe: “Celebrate without a Christmas tree, free from fragrances and preservatives, avoid Christmas decorations, candles and gifts as well as alcohol and medication, eat gluten-free, without red meats, nuts and animals, peanuts, exotic fruits and stay at home.”11
Conclusions
As with the majority of activities in life, there is always an element of risk. The key is in understanding the risks and how we address them. Sir Frances Bacon’s quote from 1597, ‘knowledge is power’, remains true, but is it always the case? Sometimes a little knowledge can be potentially detrimental and lead to us being ill informed and to possibly incorrect assumptions. Everyone seems to be an expert now thanks to ‘Dr Google’. The number of expert epidemiologists and microbiologists proliferated in my village during the COVID-19 pandemic. The internet is a good information highway however, we should not believe all we read on it, as it can be full of extremes and perhaps does not always take into account the balance of risk.
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Penicillium species fungi.
Consequently, I personally don’t think that the majority of people should worry about erecting and decorating a Christmas tree each year, be it real or artificial. However, those of us with allergies, asthma, immunosuppression and who are susceptible to moulds, should understand the risks and steps that can be taken to mitigate them. A knowledge risk-based approach should enable us all to enjoy the festive season. Remember Christmas is the time of celebration and joy, not of illness and suffering.
References 1 Gulevich T, Stavros-Lanning MA.
Encyclopedia of Christmas and New Year’s: Over 240 Alphabetically Arranged Entries Covering Christmas, New Year’s, and Related Days of Observance. 2nd ed. Detroit: Omnigraphics; 2009. 1005 p.
2 Ehrsam R. Le vieux Turckheim: patrimoine bâti et patrimoine familial; topographie. Colmar: Do Bentzinger; 1999. 183 p.
3 Esher V. The girlhood of Queen Victoria; a selection from Her Majesty’s diaries between the years 1832 and 1840. London: John Murray: 1912.
4 The Christmas Tree. London; Darton and Clark; 1844.
5 The death of Caroline Luttrell of Kilve Court, Somerset. Manchester Guardian 1856 Jan 24;3.
6 Wyse DM, Malloch D. Christmas tree allergy: mould and pollen studies. Can Med Assoc J. 1970;103(12):1272-1276.
7 Wild U, Shaw DM, Erren TC. Avoiding a crisis at Christmas: a systematic review of adverse health effects or ‘Chrishaps’ caused by traditional hazard sources and COVID-19. Aust N Z J Public Health.
2022;46(1):32-35. doi:10.1111/1753- 6405.13207
8 Kurlandsky LE, Przepiora J, Riddell SW, Kiska DL. Identification of mold on seasonal indoor coniferous trees. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2011;106(6):543- 544. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2011.03.003
9 Thambugala KM, Daranagama DA, Tennakoon DS, Jayatunga DPW, Hongsanan S, Xie N. Humans vs. Fungi: An Overview of Fungal Pathogens against Humans. Pathogens. 2024;13(5):426. Published 2024 May 17. doi:10.3390/ pathogens13050426
10 Arbes Jr. SJ, Gergen PJ, Elliott L, Zeldin DC. Prevalences of positive skin test responses to 10 common allergens in the US population: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005 Aug;116(2):377–83.
11 Wedi B. Weihnachten – aus allergologischer Sicht [Christmas from an allergist’s perspective]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2016;141(25):1828-1834. doi:10.1055/s-0042-117370
Dr Neil Bentley OBE is an experienced biomedical scientist with over 40 years of science, management, and leadership experience within the field of pathology and public health. In a 25-year career with Public Health England (PHE) he was most recently Deputy Director Pathogen Genomics- COVID Programme until October 2022, previously he was Head of Specialist Microbiology Technical Services at PHE’s National Infection Service. He is currently Scientific Officer at Pro-Lab Diagnostics.
DECEMBER 2024
WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM
Gerald Holmes, Strawberry Center, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo,
Bugwood.org
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