Airborne pollens and prevalence of pollenosis in western Liguria: a 10-year study.

During the last 15 years aerobiology has become a relevant branch of allergy, making possible the partial clarification of the relationships between clinical diseases and environment. We performed a 10-year survey of pollen counts and pollen sensitization in a confined area on the western Ligurian coast of Italy in order to evaluate possible changes in aerobiological pattern and to correlate them with the prevalence of sensitization. Pollen counts for the area surrounding Bordighera in the period from 1988-1997 were analyzed; the occurrence of skin sensitization in outpatients were also studied during the same period. We considered the following allergens: Parietaria, grasses, Compositae, Cupressaceae, olive and birch. We also examined the possible differences between patients living on the seaside and those living inland. Over the 10-year period a significant increase in the pollen counts was seen for birch and Compositae (p = 0.001); this was accompanied by a parallel significant increase in the rate of sensitization (p = 0.004 and p = 0.01, respectively). Conversely, an increase in sensitization to Cupressaceae (p = 0.001) and olive (p = 0.03) was also seen, although no change in the pollen counts was detectable. Finally, the prevalence of sensitization to Cupressaceae and Compositae was higher in the patients living in the coastal region than those residing inland. These data suggest that a positive correlation between the pollen counts and the rate of sensitization exists for certain pollens. Nevertheless, for other species such a correlation was not apparent, and additional environmental factors maybe involved in the increased prevalence of sensitization.     

Juniperus ashei: the gold standard of the Cuppressaceae

The non-standardized Cupressus sempervirens allergen extract currently available for the diagnosis of cypress allergy has a low level of activity. The search for an active material consisted of in vitro and in vivo comparison of three Cupressaceae pollen extracts: Cupressus sempervirens (Cs), Cupressus arizonica (Ca) and Juniperus ashei (Ja) (synonyms: Juniperus sabinoides and Mountain Cedar). These 3 trees belong to the same botanical family of Cupressaceae. While Cs and Ca are commonly encountered in Mediterranean regions, Ja is only present in Europe in the Balkans, but is a major cause of allergy in the USA. In vitro, with a similar protein content, the allergenic properties of Ja extract are 20-Fold higher than those of Cs and 11-fold higher than those of Ca. IgE immunoblotting revealed 14, 42 and 70 kDa allergens common to all 3 extracts. The inhibition curves of the 3 extracts were more than 88% parallel. A significant correlation was observed between serum specific IgE titres for Ja and Cs in 23 patients (r = 0.916; p < 0.001). In vivo, in 23 patients with cypress allergy, the mean diameter of the prick test papule at 1/20 W/V of Ja (8.3 mm) was greater than that of the Cs papule (6.3 mm) (p = 0.001) and the Ca papule (6.7 mm) (p < 0.001). Correlations between cutaneous responses to Cs and Ja (r = 0.629; p = 0.002), and to Cs and Ca (r = 0.75; p = 0.001) were significant. These results demonstrate the intense cross-reactivity between Cs, Ca and Ja. The allergenic potency of the Ja extract is superior to that of Cs and Ca extracts, both in vitro and in vivo. This superiority is correlated with a high concentration of the major allergen, Jun a 1. The non-standardized The now standardized extract of in vitro ashei pollen therefore represents an effective and documented solution for identification, and probably for treatment, of Cupressaceae pollen allergy.     

Cypress: a new plague for the Rhône-Alpes region?

Today the Cupressaceae are seen as one of the most allergenic plant families in the mediterranean region. A comparative study of Cupressaceae pollen concentration as sampled in Lyon-Bron (temperate region) and in Montpellier (mediterranean region) has been conducted. During the last 20 years, this family of plant has increasingly been represented in the pollinic spectra. In Montpellier the annual mean pollen concentration went from 43 pollen grains m3 of air at the beginning of the eighties to 72 pollen grains at the beginning of the years 2000. In Lyon, the progression is above 200% but with lesser annual mean pollen concentrations: 4.5 pollen grains m3 of air at the beginning of the eighties to 13.7 pollen grains at the beginning of the years 2000. The annual mean pollen concentration in the Lyon region still modest compared to the mediterranean stations, shows a steep increase though, that should be taken care of.     

In vitro and in vivo biological activities of old and fresh Cupressus arizonica pollen.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory allergy to the pollen of Cupressaceae is becoming more and more common every year in the Mediterranean area. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to see whether the allergenic potency of Cupressus arizonica pollen diminished after a 6-year period (1994-2000). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the Cupressaceae, we selected the pollen of C arizonica. The mode of sampling in 1994 and in 2000 was the same and the pollen was collected on the same tree and stored at room temperature. To compare its biological and allergenic activities data was collected with the following methods: cytohistology of Alexander, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride enzyme staining, skin testing, nasal provocation test, radioallergosorbent test (RAST), RAST inhibition, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and immunoblotting to detect protein content. Thirty-eight patients with respiratory allergy to Cupressaceae were selected. RESULTS: We found no decrease in the allergenic potency of the pollen, but did find that viability and germinating power had disappeared completely after 30 to 40 days. Moreover, the amount of protein in the old pollen was half the amount found in the fresh one. Skin prick testing showed identical results with the old and the fresh pollens. CONCLUSIONS: The allergenic in vivo and in vitro activity of cypress pollen is retained for years after its collection. This activity seems to be independent of the viability of pollen grains and of the total protein content. This may explain the presence of clinical symptoms in patients out of the pollen season.     

Cupressaceae hay fever

Cypress allergy or rather Cupressaceae allergy is an extraordinary observation subject and study model. Annual R.N.S.A. meeting is a good opportunity to share the analysts and sentinel doctors' point of view on this subject. For the medicine sentinel of the N?mes's pollen site, the development of these Cupressaceae sensitivities is becoming a true public health priority. This feeling is shared by the southern sector responsible of the French network. It is absolutely necessary to develop actions.     

New clinical data and therapeutic prospects in Cupressaceae pollen allergy

The authors emphasize, thanks to their clinical data over the last 20 years: The steady increase of allergy to C. sempervirens pollen compared to other pollinosis and to atopy. The frequency of cross-reactivity between C. sempervirens and other pollens belonging to Cupressaceae and Taxodiaceae families, in order, in the absence of a very good standardization and of a purification of this pollen, to try to undertake a sound specific immunotherapy using the most cross-reactive pollen mixed with C. sempervirens extracts. As a matter of fact the partially purified extracts of C. japonica gave the higher incidence (91%) of cross-reactivity. Consequently, a mixture of C. sempervirens and C. japonica extracts was used since 1993 with good results in a double blind study.     

Diagnostic biologique de l'allergie respiratoire : évaluation du réactif Vidas Stallergy genévrier dans l'allergie au cyprès

Cypress allergy is an important health issue in Mediterranean areas but its diagnosis is still difficult in some cases. The fact that cypress and juniper tree pollens share a number of allergens, together with the higher allergenic protein contents of the latter have recently led allergologists to use juniper pollen extracts while testing for cypress allergy. In the present study we have evaluated a new Vidas bioMérieux reagent, Stallergy ST6, designed for the detection and quantification of anti-juniper serum IgE, when applied to cypress allergy diagnosis. In thirty-one Respiratory Diseases Department outpatients clinically suspected of cypress pollen allergy, Stallergy ST6 results were compared to those of prick tests and of serum IgE quantification using the CAP System (Phadia). There is a good class concordance between IgE results yielded by the two methods. We conclude that Stallergy ST6 provides a sensitive and specific reagent for cypress allergy diagnosis.     

Allergie respiratoire aux protéines de feuilles, implication d’un nouvel allergène

Symptoms of subjects presenting with rhinitis, conjunctivitis or contact urticaria when exposed or in contact with grass are usually attributed to allergy to grass pollen or to certain airborne molds. The four cases described in the present report presented with allergic symptoms when mowing their lawn. The suspicion of allergy to grass leaves was confirmed by skin prick tests with native leaves. An extract of rye grass leaves was made and its allergens were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Three of the four patients were found to have IgE specific for a single 56 kDa molecule. It was shown to be a major leaf protein and identified as a subunit of ribulose 1,5 diphosphate carboxylase/oxydase, a major plant kingdom enzyme involved in photosynthesis. This protein is widely present in leaves and is, in addition, used as a non-allergenic model in investigation of the allergenicity of food proteins. In fact, it is degraded instantaneously by digestive enzymes, in contrast to the known principal food allergens. In conclusion, respiratory allergy to grass leaf proteins was demonstrated in this study of four patients, who were or were not allergic or sensitized to grass pollen.     

Concentration of airborne pollen from Cupressaceae in Lisbon

The concentration of airborne pollen from Cupressaceae was regularly monitored++ in Lisbon during 1997 and 1999, and the phenology of flowering cypress was studied in several species of the genus from 1992 to February 2000. Both methods showed a peak of pollen abundance during the month of February, with the airborne pollen concentration decreasing strongly to March and April. The results obtained are in accordance with the literature for the Mediterranean area, but in Lisbon the peak started and finished earlier than in other Mediterranean towns already studied.     

Cross-reactivity of pollen allergens

Pollen cross-allergenicity has practical implications on the management of inhalant allergy, in both evaluation and therapy, especially with allergen vaccine immunotherapy. The study of cross-reactivity among pollen allergens has expanded beyond investigation of crude extracts to the characterization and cloning of numerous pollen proteins. In this review, the interrelationships between these pollen allergens in the context of botanical systematics are examined, to provide a framework for cross-reactivity understanding. Recommendations for choices in evaluation and therapy are given.     

Prevalence of cypress pollen sensitization and its clinical importance in Izmir, Turkey, with cypress allergy assessed by nasal provocation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pollens from the Cupressaceae family are considered important allergens in the Mediterranean area, though reports of the prevalence of allergic symptoms have ranged from 1.04% to 35.4%. Our aim was to detect the prevalence of cypress pollen sensitization and determine its clinical importance in patients with seasonal respiratory allergy. METHODS: We used skin prick tests (SPT) and serum specific IgE assays to reveal sensitization to cypress pollen. In patients who showed positive results to cypress pollen, a nasal provocation test (NPT) with pollen extract was used to assess the target organ response. RESULTS: Sixty-five (14.3%) of 455 patients showed positive SPT responses to Cupressus sempervirens extract. Only 1 patient was monosensitized while 64 patients were polysensitized. Among those, 2 pollen cosensitizations were found to be significant (86% were cosensitized to grasses and 72% were cosensitized to olive (P < .001). Serum specific IgE to cypress pollen was measured in 50 of the 65 patients; findings were positive for 37. When these 37 patients underwent NPT with C sempervirens allergen extract, only the single monosensitized patient had a positive NPT. CONCLUSION: A positive SPT to cypress pollen may not reflect the true prevalence of sensitization. We assume that in the absence of a positive NPT, positive SPT results might be related to the presence of cross-reactivity between pollen species.     

Les allergènes croisants à l'échelle moléculaire : comparaison nord-sud

Fruit of the Rosaceae family, in particular apples and peachs, are frequent causes of food allergy. The clinical manifestations of these allergies differ as a function of geographic location. In the context of the SAFE project (QLK1-CT-2000-01394), financed by the European Community, the apple has been chosen as a model for the study of the relationship between the clinical presentation and the profile of sensitivity to Rosaceae allergens. This study included 389 patients allergic to apples and who live in four European regions: the Netherlands (Utrecht), Austria (Vienna), northern Italy (Milan) and central Spain (Madrid). Two different profiles of apple allergy were found in Europe: one in the Netherlands, Austria and in most of the patients (90%) in northern Italy, the other in Spain and in a minority (10%) of the Italians patients. Patients coming from regions where birch pollen is present become allergic to this pollen and to its major allergen Bet v 1 through contact via the respiratory tract; allergy to apple begins later as a consequence of cross-reactivity between Bet v 1 and Mal d 1. In Spain, allergy to apple is a result of primary sensitization to peach and its major allergen Pru p 3, subsequent allergy to apple being the consequence of cross-reactivity between lipid transfer proteins Pru p 3 and Mal d 3.     

Cupressaceae in Tirana (Albania) 1996-1998 aerobiological data and prevalence of Cupresaceae sensitization in allergic patients

Plants of Cupressaceae family are quite widespread in Albania. Aerobiological data show that 43% of the total airborne pollens per year come from this family. The highest concentrations of Cupressaceae pollen were found from February to May, while low quantities (till 32 p/m3) were present form November to January. From 110 patients with respiratory allergies and positive-SPT, only three subjects (2.7%) were SPT-positive to Cupressaceae. All the three were polysensitized.     

雷暴哮喘

在过去的30余年,全球范围内关于雷暴相关严重哮喘发作事件的报道逐年增加,主要集中于澳大利亚、英国。这种因天气因素导致的哮喘发作或加重多发生于花粉季节,认为与花粉或霉菌过敏有关。雷暴哮喘发生机制可能是花粉颗粒在雷暴天气时溶胀、崩解释放大量具有变应原性的碎片,使空气中变应原浓度短时间内明显升高,气道高反应个体暴露后出现哮喘症状。花粉或霉菌导致的过敏性鼻炎、哮喘患者是雷暴哮喘的高危人群。了解雷暴哮喘有助于对其预防,并降低其对患者生命健康及公共卫生服务的危害。     

Immunothérapie et allergie alimentaire

Immunotherapy trials on food allergy were published some years ago and few of them were randomized. The protocols used varied and IgE-mediated food allergies were the first studied. Immunotherapy is mainly indicated for persistent food allergy after the usual age of recovery. Other factors, such as the dose of the allergen and the nature of the symptoms due to food allergy, are less well-defined with regard to indications for immunotherapy. Different techniques are available: the subcutaneous route, with well-known adverse effects when currently available extracts are used; the oral route, with efficacy in a third of the cases and the sublingual route, which seems to be promising. The real effect of immunotherapy, whether persistent, transitory or merely an increase in the amount of food tolerated, remains to be defined.     

A 10-year aerobiological study (1994-2003) in the Mediterranean island of Crete, Greece: trees, aerobiologic data, and botanical and clinical correlations.

Pollen grains from the plant cover of a given area participate largely in the composition of aeroflora (pollen and molds) of this area. Association of allergic respiratory disorders with concentration of allergenic particles in the atmosphere is well documented, and aerobiologic studies are of great relevance. A 10-year volumetric aerobiologic study was conducted in the city of Heraklion, located in the center of the north-shore of the island of Crete, Greece. Main allergenic families and genera encountered were, in descending order of frequency Oleaceae, Quercus, Platanaceae, Cupressaceae, Pinaceae, Populus, Moraceae, and Corylaceae. Concentrations noted for most of these aeroallergens were much lower than those reported from other European regions. In parallel, an atopic population of 576 individuals, exhibiting allergic symptoms mainly of the respiratory tract were subjected to a battery of skin-prick tests. A fair degree of agreement between total pollen counts and positive skin-prick test frequencies for the families of Oleaceae, Platanaceae, and Cupressaceae was noted. On the contrary a poor degree of concordance was noted for the rest of the families and genera.     

四川省成都市城区气传花粉监测

目的探索四川省成都市城区气传花粉的种类、数量及飘散规律。方法应用重力沉降法于2018年3月1日至2019年2月28日在四川省成都市城区进行为期1年的连续每日气传花粉曝片。结果共收集到花粉139520粒/1000 mm 2,能鉴定的花粉总计隶属36科、31属、2个种。其中构属花粉含量最高,达81754粒/1000 mm 2,占全年花粉总量的58.60%,其播粉期为3~4月,高峰期为3月下半月至4月上半月;其次是柏科花粉,达27518粒/1000 mm 2,占全年花粉总量的19.72%,其播粉期为1~3月,高峰期为1月下旬至3月上旬;大麻/葎草属占第三位,花粉含量5112粒/1000 mm 2,占全年花粉总量的3.66%,其播粉期为8~10月,高峰期为8月下旬至10月下旬。上述3种花粉为本地区优势气传花粉,合计占全年花粉总量的81.98%。含量超过1%的花粉还依次包括银杏、桦木属、松属、悬铃木属、枫杨属及蒿属花粉。全年花粉含量月分布呈现2个高峰,第一高峰为1~5月,主要气传花粉为构属、柏科、银杏、桦木属、松属、悬铃木属、枫杨属等树木花粉,占全年花粉总量的89.38%。第二高峰为8~10月,主要气传花粉为大麻/葎草属、蒿属等莠草花粉,占全年花粉总量的5.04%。结论本地区花粉季节有两个:春季为主要花粉季节,主要气传花粉为构属、柏科等树木花粉;夏秋季为次要花粉季节,主要花粉气传为大麻/葎草属、蒿属等莠草花粉。构属、柏科、大麻/葎草属花粉为本地区优势气传花粉,构属花粉为本地区绝对优势气传花粉。     

Aerobiological and allergenic analysis of cupressaceae pollen in Granada (Southern Spain).

Cupressaceae pollen has been cited in recent years as one of the major airborne allergens of the Mediterranean region, prompting us to conduct an exhaustive analysis on the aerobiological behaviour of this pollen in the Iberian Peninsula and the repercussion that it has had on the atopic population. The aerobiological study, performed from 1996 to 2003 in the city of Granada (S. Spain), used a volumetric Hirst collector. The results indicate that this pollen is present in the air most of the year, registering a high incidence during the winter months. This type of pollen behaved irregularly in the air, fluctuating yearly, seasonally, and within the same day. Temperature and humidity were the parameters that most directly influence the variability of this allergen, while rainfall prior to flowering increased pollen production. The predictive models used estimated a high percentage of the levels reached over the short term by this pollen in the atmosphere of Granada. The clinical study performed with atopic patients showed that some 30% of the population with pollinosis are sensitive to Cupressaceae pollen, affecting people of both genders equally. On the other hand, the most sensitive age group was 21-40 years of age, while children and the elderly registered almost negligible values. Most of the sensitive subjects resided within the city or in the metropolitan area, where environmental pollution reached high levels, while the pathology was found to be less frequent in rural zones. The most frequent symptoms were upper-respiratory ailments and an asthmatic profile.     

Biology of tree pollen allergens

More than 25% of the population suffer from type I allergy. Pollens from trees of the Fagales, Oleaceae, and Cupressaceae belong to the most potent and frequent allergen sources. During the past 15 years, the nature of the most important allergens has been identified by molecular biological techniques, and recombinant allergens equivalent to the natural allergens have been produced. These advances provide insight into the biological functions of important allergens and allow the development of novel forms of diagnosis and therapy. In this review, we focus on Fagales allergens to illustrate the impact of recombinant allergens on diagnosis and therapy. We discuss structural similarities as a molecular basis for crossreactivities and develop diagnostic concepts by using speciesspecific marker allergens as well as highly cross-reactive allergens. The identification of the allergen recognition profiles of patients with recombinant allergens allows a more precise selection of patients for available forms of allergy treatment. Moreover, we describe novel recombinant allergen-based forms of specific immunotherapy.     

Allergies cyprès-pêche : allergie croisée ou simple coïncidence ?

Recently, a cross reactivity between cypress pollens and peach has been published. In this paper, we have tried to confirm this possibility in 33 patients suffering from cypress pollen allergy. The analysis of the collected patients data lead to the following classification of them into two groups: nine patients (27.3%) had a sensitivity to peach (four patients were allergic to peach and five patients were only sensitised to this fruit but could eat it without experiencing any symptoms), the second group of 24 patients were allergic to cypress pollens, but not sensitive to peach. These results clearly confirm that the cypress-peach syndrome exists together with the apple-birch syndrome. Other analysis on these patients will enable to characterise the cross-reacting allergens.