Tree Pollen Mix Research Articles

Sensitization Spectrum of 16 362 Patients with Allergic Diseases in Peking University Third Hospital

Objective To retrospectively analyze the sensitization spectrum of 16 362 patients with allergic diseases treated in the Peking University Third Hospital and provide reference for the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.Methods A total of 16 362 patients with allergic diseases treated in the Peking University Third Hospital from January 2009 to September 2021 were selected.The serum levels of total IgE and antigen-specific IgE(sIgE)were determined.Furthermore,the selected patients were classified into different groups according to gender,age,and disease occurrence month.Results The mean level of total IgE in 7919 patients was 92.4(34.8, 241.0)kU/L.The sIgE levels of 34 allergens in 5495 patients were determined via the ImmunoCAP system,with a positive sIgE rate of 54.23%.The top 5 allergens with high positive rates were mountain juniper pollen(43.78%),cat dander(38.76%),egg white(33.38%),Japanese hop(32.03%),and mugwort(31.82%).The sIgE levels of 20 allergens in 10 867 patients were determined via the EURO system,with a positive sIgE rate of 35.79%.The top 5 allergens with high positive rates were mugwort(15.86%),house dust mite mix(10.17%),cat dander(8.32%),house dust(4.71%),and tree pollen mix(4.04%).The analysis based on gender showed that the allergen positive rates in males were higher than those in females.The positive rates of egg white and cow's milk gradually decreased with the increase in age,while those of the inhaled allergens gradually increased during 10-19 years and then gradually decreased.The analysis based on disease occurrence month showed that the population with allergic diseases in Beijing surged in summer and autumn due to the inhaled allergens including mugwort,tree pollen mix,common ragweed,cocklebur,goosefoots,Japanese hop,timothy grass,and weed mix.Conclusions Among the 16 362 patients with allergic diseases treated in the Peking University Third Hospital,male patients showed higher sensitivity to allergens.The positive rates of egg white and cow's milk gradually decreased with the increase in age,while those of inhaled allergens were highest in patients of 10-19 years.The population of allergic diseases in Beijing surged in summer and autumn due to the inhaled allergens.

Patterns of sensitization to aeroallergens and their effect on airway hyper-responsiveness in Busan, Korea.

Allergen sensitization and its influence on allergic disease can vary depending on ethnicity and geography. To investigate aeroallergen sensitization patterns and their effect on airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) in Busan, Korea. We reviewed data for subjects who attended for evaluation of respiratory symptoms between 2011 and 2016. The skin test results of 16 allergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, cat, dog, Alternaria, Aspergillus fumigatus, early blossoming tree pollen mix, late blossoming tree pollen mix, alder, birch, oak, grass mix, mugwort, ragweed, and Japanese hop) were analyzed. Age was categorized as group I (15 to < 65 years) or group II (≥ 65 years). A total of 2,791 subjects were analyzed (mean age: 50.9 years, female 61.3%). AHR was demonstrated in 15.8%; sputum eosinophilia in 12.1%; and atopy in 31.2%. The most commonly sensitizing allergen was house dust mite (17.4% to D. pteronyssinus and 17.9% to D. farinae), followed by late blossoming tree pollen mix (8.8%) and early blossoming tree pollen mix (8.6%). AHR was associated with sensitization to D. pteronyssinus, D. farina, Alternaria, dog, cat, alder, birch, oak, and mugwort. However, group II did not show any associations between AHR and any of the aeroallergens except D. farina. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the independent factors for AHR were ever-smoker status, D. farina, and oak sensitization. Sensitization to house dust mites and tree pollen was found to be common in Busan. These aeroallergens significantly affected AHR, particularly in the younger group.

Sensitisation of severe asthma in different occupations: A multicentre study in China.

This was the first multicentre study assessing the sensitisation patterns in patients with severe asthma by different occupations as well as different regions of China, and aimed to provide evidence for the prevention of sensitised patients with severe asthma. A total of 676 adults were included and assigned to three cohorts. Cohort A was comprised of severe asthma patients without smoking (n=454), cohort B comprised severe asthmatic patients who were ex-smokers (n=149), and cohort C comprised non-asthma individuals (n=73). All study subjects underwent testing of serum sIgE level of house dusts mix (hx2), foods mix (fx5), moulds mix (mx2), tree pollen mix (tx4) and weed pollen mix (wx5) simultaneously. Overall, the positive rates of hx2, fx5, mx2, tx4 and wx5 were 37.6%, 11.9%, 16.6%, 9.0% and 9.5% in severe asthmatic patients, respectively. Comparing cohort A with cohort B, the hx2 positive rates in cohort A were higher in fulltime homemaker (30.0% vs. 0.0%) and medical staff (40.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.05). However, the mx2 positive rates in cohort B were higher in businessman (30.0% vs. 7.0%) and the tx4 positive rates in cohort B were higher in drivers (35.7% vs. 0.0%, P<0.05). The optimal scale analysis showed that severe asthmatic patients who work indoor were more prone to be allergic to house dusts (Cronbach's alpha=76.4%). Patients with severe asthma in different occupations exhibited different sensitisation patterns. Avoid being contact with house dust and application of indoor air purifier should be considered for severe asthma patients.

Prevalence of allergen sensitization among 1,091 patients with urticaria.

The etiology of urticaria is heterogeneous and allergic responses may be involved in it. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and distribution of sensitivity to inhaled and food allergens among patients with urticaria in Henan province (China). The levels of specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) were detected using the AllergyScreen test and a total of 524/1,091 cases (48.0%) tested positive for sIgE to at least one of the 19 allergens. The most common inhaled allergens the urticaria patients were sensitive to were D. pteronyssinus (34.5%), cockroach (12.5%) and tree pollen mix (11.1%), while the food allergens with the highest rate of allergic reactions were cashew nut (8.1%), shrimp (6.8%) and crab (6.4%). The positive rates for D. pteronyssinus, dog hair, cockroach, mold mix, tree pollen mix and shrimp in the chronic urticaria group were higher than those in the acute urticaria group (P<0.05). Furthermore, positive rates for the majority of allergens were higher in males than in females and were significantly different between age groups (P<0.05). The results of the present study provided information on the characteristics of allergen sensitization of patients with urticaria and may facilitate the prevention, diagnosis and management of urticaria in Henan province.

The practical benefit of Phadiatop test as the first-line in vitro allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) screening of aeroallergens among Chinese asthmatics: a validation study.

Phadiatop test is a variant of ImmunoCAP assay that covers a mixture of common aeroallergens. Its diagnostic efficiency in Chinese population remains so far inadequate. We validated Phadiatop testing with ImmunoCAP assays in a Chinese cohort. Phadiatop test was performed for serum samples from 290 asthmatics and 92 healthy controls previously tested with "classic" ImmunoCAP for house dust mix (hx2), molds and yeasts mix (mx2), tree pollen mix (tx4) and weed mix (wx5). Phadiatop positivity was shown in 46.2% of 290 asthmatic patients. Using ImmunoCAP as the gold standard, the concordance rate was 91.7%; negative predictive value, 92.9%; and positive predictive value, 90.2%. The sensitivity of Phadiatop test was high for hx2 (98.2%), tx4 (100%) and wx5 (95.5%), but not for mx2 (78.4%). Yet the mx2 allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) level in all missed cases was relatively low (0.35 to 0.90 kUA/L). The total Phadiatop sIgE level was correlated with the ImmunoCAP sIgE levels for all allergen mixes combined (rs =0.941, P<0.001) or each allergen mix, particularly the hx2 (rs =0.924) (all P<0.001), 0.53 kUA/L used as a cut-off would optimize the diagnostic performance of Phadiatop testing, yielding 89.4% sensitivity and 97.5% specificity in indentifying serums positive to any of these allergen mixes. Overall, Phadiatop test may efficiently detect sensitization to common aeroallergen mixes. In light of the currently rigorous administration on crude extracts for skin tests in China, using Phadiatop as the first-line test for suspected atopy can be cost-effective.

Akdeniz Bölgesinde Yaşayan Atopik Çocukların Deri Prick Testlerindeki Aeroallerjen Dağılımları

Objective: It is important to detect allergens that cause sensitization to decrease the morbidity of allergic diseases and to prevent or to delay the development of the disease in already sensitized patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate which aeroallergens cause sensitization in allergic patients in the Akdeniz Region, Turkey, as well as their frequency of occurrence.Materials and Methods: The demographic properties, diagnoses, total IgE levels, sensitization against aeroallergens detected via EPT (Epidermal prick test), the dates of EPT application and peripheral eosinophil counts at the time of EPT application were analyzed in 510 patients aged 2-18 years who presented to the Akdeniz University Pediatric Allergy – Immunology and Pulmonology Departments and Antalya Education and Research Hospital Pediatric Allergy - Immunology Department with an allergic history or diagnosis between January 2014 and July 2015. All patients underwent EPT during their follow-up and sensitivity against at least one aeroallergen was detected. The seasonal distribution of these aeroallergens was also analyzed.Results: A total of 1180 children to which an allergic skin test had been applied between January 2014 and July 2015 were included in this study. It was seen that 510 patients (43.2%) had a positive response to at least one aeroallergen and 402 patients among them (78.8%) had a positive response to more than one aeroallergen. Males made up 58.4% and females 41.6% of the patients who showed a positive EPT. Sensitivity was most frequently (69%) against house dust mites, followed by tree pollen mix (54.9%) and grass/weed mix (52.5%). Other allergens were animal dander (45.3%), fungi mix (43.4%), herb/pollen mix (34.9%), cockroach (16.9%) and olea (6%). Further, by analyzing the seasonal distributions of allergens, it was seen that sensitivity was most frequently against house dust in all seasons.Conclusion: Avoiding specific allergens is important in eliminating and managing the symptoms in allergic patients. Determining the regional differences regarding allergen sensitivity is therefore critical.

A cross-sectional observational study on allergen-specific IgE positivity in a southeast coastal versus a southwest inland region of China

Few studies addressed trans-regional differences in allergen sensitization between areas within a similar latitudinal range but with distinct geomorphological features. We investigated specific IgE (sIgE) positivity to common allergens in populations from two southern China provinces. Using a uniformed protocol, serum samples were collected from 2778 subjects with suspected atopy in coastal Guangdong and inland Yunnan. The overall prevalence of sIgE positivity were 57.8% (95% CI: 56.0%, 59.6%) from Guangdong vs 60.9% (95% CI: 59.1%, 62.7%) from Yunnan. House dust mite (d1) was the most common allergen in both regions. Among d1-sensitized subjects, only 35.7% (208/583) in Guangdong and 22.9% (147/642) in Yunnan tested positive for d1 alone. Among those poly-sensitized d1-positive subjects, cockroach was the most common co-sensitizing aeroallergen. 41.9% of the d1-sensitized Guangdong subjects showed high-class sIgE reactivity (≥class 4), in contrast to a very low percentage of such reactivity in Yunnan. However, 36.3% of d1-sensitized subjects in Yunnan were concomitantly positive for tree pollen mix. Surprisingly, Yunnan subjects showed high prevalence of sIgE positivity for crabs and shrimps, either by overall or by age-group analysis, compared with their Guangdong counterparts (both P < 0.05). These findings may add to data about local allergies in China and worldwide.

Prevalence of serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E for canine atopic dermatitis in Korea

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an allergic skin disease with characteristic clinical features associated with immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. Identification of the causative allergens is the diagnostic goal, which is essential to treat and manage CAD patients. CAD is commonly associated with environmental allergens surrounding the patients. For this reason, it is important for diagnostic tests to select allergens that are related to the environment of each country and each province. There are two main allergen-specific tests, serological IgE test (SAT) and intradermal skin test (IDT). SAT did not show direct cutaneous reaction but did show serological reaction against allergens. However, SAT is simpler and more convenient than IDT in small animal practice. In this study, we selected domestically prevalent allergens for SAT, including 60 food allergens and 60 inhalant allergens, and tested eight dogs tentatively diagnosed with CAD based on Favrot’s criteria. Furthermore, IDT was performed on four dogs from the SAT group for comparison of SAT and IDT, and the results were very similar. In SAT, four types of mites (Bloomia tropicalis, Glycophagus domesticus, Euroglyphus maynei, and mite mixture 1 Korea; house dust mites), four types of molds (Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata, mold fungi mixture 11, mold fungi mixture), and one type of pollen (tree pollen mix 3 Korea) induced a reaction in more than half of dogs tested. In IDT, all four dogs reacted positively to Dermatophagoides farinae, and three reacted positively to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and house dust. The mean agreement rate between SAT and IDT in this study was 76.3%. This is the first trial to apply local allergens for SAT in Korean veterinary medicine, and it might play an important role for diagnoses and management of animal allergic diseases.

Prevalence of immunoglobulin E‐mediated food allergy in 6–9‐year‐old urban schoolchildren in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey

The prevalence of adverse reactions to food in childhood in Turkey is not known. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of IgE-mediated food allergies (FAs) in 6-9-year-old urban schoolchildren. This cross-sectional study recruited 3500 of the randomly selected 6-9-year-old urban schoolchildren from the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey during 2006. Following a self-administered questionnaire completed by the parents and the child, consenting children were invited for skin prick tests (SPTs) and oral food challenges. Children with suspected IgE-mediated FA were skin prick tested with a predefined panel of food allergens (milk, hen's egg, soy, wheat, peanut, fish, and hazelnut), aeroallergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, cat, dog, Alternaria, grass pollen mix, weed pollen mix, and tree pollen mix), and food allergens reported in the questionnaire. All children with a positive SPT to any food were invited for a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC). The prevalence of IgE-mediated FA was established using DBPCFCs. The response rate to the questionnaire was 78.2% (2739/3500). The estimated prevalence of parental-reported IgE-mediated FA was 5.7% (156/2739) [95% confidence interval (CI), 4.83-6.57%]. The rate of sensitization to the food allergens was 33.1% (48/145) in the parental-reported group. The confirmed prevalence of IgE-mediated FA by means of DBPCFC in 6-9-year-old urban schoolchildren living in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey was 0.80% (22/2739) (95% CI, 0.47-1.13%). The most common allergenic foods were beef (31.8%), cow's milk (18.1%), cocoa (18.1%), hen's egg (13.6%), and kiwi (13.6%). The rate of reported IgE-mediated FA was significantly higher than clinically confirmed FA by means of DBPCFC (odds ratio, 7.46; 95% CI, 4.67-12.01; P<0.0001). The order of allergenic foods was different and somewhat unique to the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey when compared with western countries.

Specific Immunotherapy in a Pollen-Allergic Patient With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Background According to the World Health Organization position paper, immunodeficiency such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a relative contraindication for specific immunotherapy (SIT). Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, a significant reconstitution of immune competence in individuals with HIV is possible.Case Report In a 52-year-old man, HIV infection was diagnosed in 1987. Antiretroviral therapy was started in 1998. He presented himself in July 2001 because of an increasingly severe seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis. Symptoms were not sufficiently alleviated by various antiallergic drugs.Results The investigations showed a relevant sensitization to tree pollens. Specific immunotherapy with a tree pollen mix (hazel, birch, ash, and alder, 25% each) was started in November 2001. Viral load at this time was less than 50 copies/mL, the CD4+ cell count was 307/μL. Therapy was given in monthly intervals until mid-April 2005 without any side effects. Viral load and CD4+ cell counts did not change during SIT. Clinically, rhinoconjunctivitis was experienced only intermittently and symptom relief was almost 90%.Conclusions This report indicates that in patients with well-controlled HIV infection on highly active antiretroviral therapy, SIT with pollen extracts is a potential and successful therapeutic option.