Airborne Allergenic Pollen Research Articles

Airborne allergenic pollen grains on a farm in West Bengal, India

A continuous two years (July, 1994 to June, 1996) survey of aeropalynoflora on an agricultural farm situated in the suburbs of Calcutta was carried out using a Burkard volumetric spore trap. A total of 46 pollen types were identified. The dominant pollen types recorded originated from Poaceae, Trema orientalis Cyperaceae and Cocos nucifera. These pollen types were subjected to clinical investigation to determine their degree of allergenicity on adult respiratory allergic patients by means of skin prick tests. A maximum allergenic response was shown to Saccharum officinarum (54.86%) followed by Azadirachta indica (52.93%) and Phoenix sylvestris (44.09%). Among the 46 recorded pollen types, 26 showed a positive skin reaction. Seasonal variations, diurnal periodicities and the vertical profiles of airborne concentrations of these allergenic pollen types were studied to evaluate the extent of exposure. The overall survey confirms the fact that all dominant airborne pollen types do not contribute equally to the aeroallergen load. Some pollen grains, though present in the air in lower concentration, were found to be allergenically significant.

Type I allergic reactions to plant-derived food: A consequence of primary sensitization to pollen allergens

Patients with pollen allergy also frequently experience allergic symptoms on ingestion of plantderived foods (fruits, vegetables, and spices). 1-3 The association of certain pollen allergies with food intolerance has led to the definition of clinical syndromes such as the celery-mugwort-birch pollen syndrome, the apple-birch pollen syndrome, and similar phenomena. More than 10 years ago, it was suggested that IgE antibodies that cross-react with pollen and food proteins could be responsible for the observed clinical phenomena. 4-8 New information allows us to attribute pollen-food allergy syndromes to the cross-reactivity of IgE antibodies to conserved plant allergens that are expressed in related and unrelated plant species and different plant tissues. The term conserved protein refers to proteins that fulfill important biologic functions and therefore are conserved in their sequence and/or structure. Prominent conserved allergens responsible for pollen-food cross-reactivities are the actin-binding protein profilin, first described in birch pollen (Bet v 2), 91~ and the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1,11 which is highly homologous to pathogenesis-related plant proteins. We have developed the hypothesis that sensitization to airborne pollen allergens represents the primary event leading to the induction of IgE antibodies that are then capable of cross-reacting with homologous food allergens. This study summarizes evidence for this hypothesis. Complementary DNAs coding for a number of

Comparison between the allergenic airborne pollen in Trieste and at Lozzo di Cadore (Italy) in 1989

A comparative study was carried out between aeroallergenic pollen spectra in Trieste and at Lozzo di Cadore. The two localities were found to be different on a five-day running mean basis as to the 8 pollen taxa monitored by the National Aerobiological Monitoring Network managed by the Italian Association of Aerobiology (AIA). In the zone of Lozzo the pollination curve of the spring flowering taxa showed a lag of about one month due to the colder climate. Lozzo di Cadore showed a poor airborne pollen content,Corylus and Graminaceae being prevailing. Trieste has a higher airborne pollen diversity and longer pollination times because of its higher floristic and vegetational complexity. In Trieste the allergenic pollen spectrum showed great quantities ofOstrya, Quercus, Oleaceae, Graminaceae and of ruderal taxa, widespread over the area, due to man's influence.

Recent progress in mite allergen immunochemistry

The successful purification of several mite allergens within the last few years has considerably enhanced our understanding of mite allergen immunochemistry. The role of these glycoproteins in stimulating human IgE ab and their role as immunogens in mice and rabbits has been studied extensively in a number of laboratories worldwide. In particular, purified allergens have facilitated the production of murine IgG Mabs that have been used to purify mite allergens by affinity chromatography; to investigate the diversity of antigenic sites on purified allergens; and to develop Mab based immunoassays for measuring allergen concentrations in dust samples and extracts. Full amino acid sequencing of several mite allergens is now in progress together with efforts to identify antigenically important peptide fragments. Such investigations are aimed to further increase our knowledge of humoral and cellular immune responses at the molecular level. For years, pollen counts have been used to judge airborne pollen allergen levels and to predict, in turn, the severity of symptom days for patients with hay fever. In contrast, simple methods for measuring dust allergens (e.g., mite allergen) have not been available. The development of Mab immunoassays, which can be converted from radiolabeled to enzyme labeled or fluorescence labeled assays, should provide rapid and quantitative measurements of specific mite allergen levels in house dust. Not only can such measurements provide useful clinical information in judging the exposure of patients to mite allergen, but the effectiveness of allergen avoidance regimes can be monitored objectively. By measuring the concentration of specific allergens in extracts, these assays could significantly improve efforts to standardize extracts used for diagnosis and treatment.

The spectrum of allergenic pollens in Italy. A computerized method of aerobiological monitoring.

The monitoring of airborne pollens that provoke allergy is of interest to clinicians to enable them to correlate chronologically the relationship between pollen concentrations in the atmosphere and the symptoms of patients with pollen-related allergies. In Italy there are now 60 centres for monitoring airborne allergenic pollens, the data from which are compiled and filed using software developed by the Italian Association of Aerobiology (AIA) and run on personal computers. These data are then fed into a central data bank to which all centres have access. This information system makes it possible to achieve the following objectives: 1) to standardise monitoring methods, 2) to recognise varieties of pollen that cause allergies, 3) to improve the exchange and comparison of information among operators by compiling the results in graphs, and 4) to notify clinicians about atmospheric concentrations of allergenic pollens so that improved therapy can be provided.

A study on airborne allergenic pollen content of the atmosphere of Naples: D'Amato G, Cocco G, Liccardi G, Melillo G: Clin Allergy 13:537, 1983

A study on airborne allergenic pollen content of the atmosphere of Naples: D'Amato G, Cocco G, Liccardi G, Melillo G: Clin Allergy 13:537, 1983

A study on airborne allergenic pollen content of the atmosphere of Naples.

In this paper we describe the results of volumetric sampling of the airborne allergenic pollen content of the Naples atmosphere. These studies have been carried out continuously since 1 May 1979 until 31 December 1981 utilizing a Burkard volumetric spore trap. We found that the most important allergenic pollen in Naples air is Parietaria, with a very long-lasting period of pollination occurring from March to November. After Parietaria, Gramineae play an allergenic role frequently in association with the pollen of Olea, which is the most important pollen of all the trees in this area. In the summer/autumn seasons we observed in this area the pollination of mugwort (the unique plant of the Compositae) which was found to be of allergenic importance in Naples.