Abstract
RATIONALE: Grass and tree pollens are among the most important aeroallergens world-wide. Types of pollens in different areas of the world vary according to climates and local species. We aim to study prevalence and clinical significance of sensitization to variety of local pollens in allergic patients living in a tropical country. METHODOLOGY: Thai patients with clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis or asthma were enrolled. Prick skin testing to variety of local grass and tree pollens, indoor allergens and molds was performed. RESULTS: Two hundred and six patients were included, age range from 1.6 to 71 years, average 11 years. Skin prick test was positive to pollens in 26.7% of patients. This positivity rate ranked fifth after Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) (56.8%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) (53.3%), Blattella germanica (GCR) (35%) and Periplaneta americana (ACR) (30.1%) respectively. Positivity rates to Johnson, Bahia, Bermuda, Corn, Sugar cane, Careless weed, Acacia and Sedge were 16%, 15.5%, 14.1%, 12.1%, 8.3%, 5.8%, 4.9% and 2.4% respectively. Local pollens which included corn, sugar cane and sedge accounted for 22.8% of pollen sensitization. Sensitization to pollens was strongly associated with eye symptoms (OR 5.2 [95% CI 2.4-11.1, p-value <0.0001]) whereas indoor allergens did not show this relationship. CONCLUSIONS: There is significantly high prevalence of pollen sensitization in allergic patients living in a tropical country. Sensitization rate ranked after house dust mites and cockroach and is higher than sensitization to pets. The results emphasize the importance of testing for pollen sensitization, including local pollens, especially in patients with allergic conjunctivitis.
Published Version
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