Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Skin prick test reactivity in allergic rhinitis patients to airborne pollens

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim was to investigate the impact of atmospheric pollen in determining allergic rhinitis. It was conducted with 130 patients with allergic rhinitis in three different sites in Eskisehir, Turkey, in 2000–2001, using a gravimetric method with a Durham sampler. Skin prick test results, the symptoms of patients and their findings all confirmed the presence of allergic reactions to pollen allergens in the patients observed. During the period, a total of 47,082 pollen grains/cm2 belonging to 45 taxa were recorded. Of the total pollen grains, 81.0% were arboreal and 18% non-arboreal. The majority of the investigated pollen grains were from Pinaceae, Salix spp., Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Cupressaceae and Poaceae. Pollen concentrations reached the highest level in May (54.36%). The pollen allergens provoking severe sensitization were grasscereal mixtures (58.5%), followed by arboreals (33.8%). All patients (100.0%) were sensitive to grass. This study emphasizes the significance of determining the types and concentrations of pollen with a view to comparing changes in highly concentrated allergens.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Doory, Y., Domson, J. E., Howard, W. A., & Sly, R. M. (1980). Airborne Fungi and Pollens of the Washington, DC. metropolitan area. Annals of Allergy, 45, 360–367.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, S. (1980). Influence of climatic variation of pollen season severity in wind-pollinated trees and herbs. Grana, 19, 45–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, J. H. (1985). Allergenic airborne pollen and spores in Anchorage, Alaska. Annals of Allergy, 54, 390–399.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous (2001). Devlet Meteoroloji Isleri Genel Mudurlugu. Eskisehir: Eskisehir Meteoroloji Mudurlugu.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aytug, B. (1974). Pollen calendar for Istanbul, Turkey. In J. Charpin, & R. Surinyach (Eds.), Atlas of European Allergenic Pollens (pp. 205–216). Paris: Sandoz Editions.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, I. L., & Storms, W. W. (1995). Summary statement of practice parameters for allergy diagnostic testing. Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, 75, 543–625.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bicakci, A., Tatlidil, S., Sapan, N., Malyer, H., & Canitez, Y. (2003). Airborne pollen grains of Bursa, Turkey, 1999–2000. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 10, 31–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet, J., Guerin, B., Hewitt, B., Lim, S., & Michel, F. B. (1985). Allergy in the Mediterranean Area III. Cross reactivity among Oleaceae pollens. Clinical Allergy, 15, 439–448.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet, J., Hewitt, B., Guerin, B., Dehivert, H., & Michel, F. B. (1986). Allergy in the Mediterranean Area II. Cross allergenicity among Urticaceae pollens (Parietaria and Urtica). Clinical Allergy, 16, 57–64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty, P., Gupta-Bhattacharya, S., Chowdhury, I., Majumdar, M. R., & Chanda, S. (2001). Differences in concentrations of allergenic pollens and spores at different heights on an agricultural farm in West Bengal, India. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 8, 123–130.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, J. A., & Williams, S. (1984). Aeroallergens of the Southeast Missouri area, a report of skin test frequencies and air sampling data. Annals of Allergy, 52, 411–417.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Charpin, J., Suriyanch, R., & Frankland, A. W. (1974). Atlas of European allergenic pollens. Paris: Sandoz Editions.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ciprandi, G., Tosca, M. A., Marseglia, G. L., & Klersy, C. (2005). Relationships between allergic inflammation and nasal airflow in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, 94, 258–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cosentino, S., Fadda, M. E., & Palmas, F. (1995). Pollen and mould allergy in Southern Sardinia (Italy): Comparison of skin-test frequencies and air sampling data. Grana, 34, 338–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Amato, G., Cocco, G., Liccardi, G., & Melillo, G. (1983). A study on airborne allergenic pollen content of the atmosphere of Naples. Clinical Allergy, 13, 537–544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Amato, G., Liccardi, G., D'Amato, M., & Cazzola, M. (2002). Respiratory allergic diseases induced by outdoor air pollution in urban areas. Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease, 57, 161–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Amato, G., & Spieksma, F. T. M. (1990). Allergenic pollen in Europe. Grana, 30, 67–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Driessen, M. N. B. M., Van Herpen, R. P. M., & Spieksma, F. T. M. (1989). Prediction of the start of the grass pollen season for the western part of the Netherlands. Grana, 28, 37–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durham, O. C. (1946). The volumetric incidence of atmospheric allergens IV. A proposed standard method of gravity sampling, counting and volumetric interpolation of results. Journal of Allergy, 17, 79–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekebom, A., Siwert, N., Saar, M., & Hage-Hamsten, M. V. (1997). A comparative study of airborne pollen concentrations of three allergenic types, In Tartu (Estonia), Roma/Gotland and Stockholm (Sweden) 1990–1996. Grana, 36, 366–372.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksson, N. E., Wihl, J. A., Arrendal, H., & Strandhede, S. O. (1984). Tree pollen allergy. II. Sensitization to various tree pollen allergens in Sweden. A multi-centre study. Allergy, 39, 610–617.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fornaciari, M., Bricchi, E., Frenguelli, G., & Romano, B. (1996). The result of 2-year pollen monitoring of an urban network in Perugia, Central Italy. Aerobiologia, 12, 219–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, G. L. (1993). Pine pollen allergy in Northern Arizona. Annals of Allergy, 70, 491–494.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galan, C., Emberlin, J., Dominguez, E., Bryant, R. H., & Villamados, F. (1995). A comparative analysis of daily variations in the Gramineae pollen counts at Cordoba, Spain and London, U.K. Grana, 34, 189–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guvensen, A., & Ozturk, M. (2003). Airborne pollen calendar of Izmir-Turkey. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 10, 37–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, B. C. S., & Wright, H. E. (1987). The modern pollen rain of the North Dakota, U.S.A. Pollen Spores, 29, 167–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hjelmroos, M., & van Hage-Hamsten, M. (1993). Birch pollen dispersal on the Baltic island, Gotland. Grana, Suppl. 2, 75–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hosen, H. (1990). Allergy to pine pollen. Annals of Allergy, 55, 678–679.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hyde, H. A. (1972). Atmospheric pollen grains and spores in relation to allergy. Clinical Allergy, 2, 153–159.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Inceoglu, O., Pinar, N. M., Sakiyan, N., & Sorkun, K. (1994). Airborne pollen concentration in Ankara, Turkey 1990–1993. Grana, 33, 158–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalyoncu, A. F., Karakoca, Y., Demir, A. U., Alpar, R., Shehu, V., Coplu, L., et al. (1996). Prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in Turkish university students in Ankara. Allergologia et Immunopathologia (Madrid), 24, 152–157.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koivikko, A., Kupias, R., Makinen, Y., & Pohjola, A. (1986). Pollen seasons: Forecasts of the most important allergenic plants in Finland. Allergy, 41, 233–242.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Latorre, F., & Perez, C. F. (1997). One year of airborne pollen sampling in Mar Del Plata (Argentina). Grana, 36, 49–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levetin, E., & Buck, P. (1980). Hay fever plants in Oklohama. Annals of Allergy, 45, 26–32.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Majd, A., & Ghanati, F. (1995). The effect of air pollution on the allergenicity of Pinus elderica (Pinaceae) pollen. Grana, 34, 208–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mc Donald, M. S. (1980). Correlation of airborne grass Pollen levels with meteorological data. Grana, 19, 53–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meiffren, I. (1988). Airborne pollen of Toulouse, Southern France, comparision with Bordeux and Montpellier. Grana, 27, 183–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nardi, G., Demasi, O., Marchegiani, A., Pierdomenico, R., Mincigrucci, G., Romano, B., et al. (1986). A study on airborne allergenic pollen content in the atmosphere of Ascoli Piceno. Annals of Allergy, 57, 193–197.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, H. S. (1983). Diagnostic procedures in allergy. I. Allergy skin testing. Annals of Allergy, 51, 411–418.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ng, M. L., Warlow, R. S., Chrishanthan, N., Ellis, C., & Walls, R. (2000). Preliminary criteria for the definition of allergic rhinitis: A systematic evaluation of clinical parameters in a disease cohort (I). Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 30, 1314–1331.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Norris-Hill, J. (1999). The diurnal variation of Poaceae pollen concentrations in rural area. Grana, 38, 301–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nowak, D., Heinrich, J., Jorres, R., Wassmer, G., Berger, J., Beck, E., et al. (1996). Prevalence of respiratory symptoms, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and atopy among adults: West and east Germany. European Respiratory Journal, 9, 2541–2552.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Obtulowicz, K., Szczpanek, K., Radwan, J., Grzywacz, M., Adamus, K., & Szczeklik, A. (1991). Correlation between airborne pollen incidence, skin prick tests and serum imminoglobulins in allergic people in Cracow, Polland. Grana, 30, 136–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pettyjohn, M. E., & Levetin, E. (1997). A comparative biochemical study of conifer pollen allergens. Aerobiologia, 13, 259–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potoglu Erkara, I., Pehlivan, S., & Tokur, S. (2007). Concentrations of airborne pollen grains in Eskisehir City, Turkey. Journal of Applied Biological Science, 1(1), 33–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puc, M. (2003). Characterisation of pollen allergens. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 10, 143–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puc, M., & Puc, M. I. (2004). Allergenic airborne grass pollen in Szczecin, Poland. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 11, 237–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro, H., Cunha, M., & Abreu, I. (2003). Airborne pollen concentration in the region of Braga, Portugal, and its relationship with meteorological parameters. Aerobiologia, 19, 21–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricketti, A. (1993). Allergic rhinitis. In: R. Patterson (Ed.), Allergic diseases: Diagnosis and management (4th ed.). Printed in the United States of America, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

  • Romano, B., Mincigrucci, G., Frenguelli, G., & Bricchi, E. (1988). Airborne pollen content in the atmosphere of central Italy (1982–1986). Experientia, 44, 625–629.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, A. B., & Babu, C. R. (1982). Survey of atmospheric pollen allergens in Delhi, seasonal periodicity. Annals of Allergy, 48, 115–122.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Southworth, D. (1988). Isolation of exines from gymnosperm pollen. American Journal of Botany, 75, 15–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spieksma, F. T. M. (1990). Pollinosis in Europe: New observations and developments. Rev Paleobot Palyno, 64, 35–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Hage-Hamsten, M., Johansson, S. G., & Zettersstrom, O. (1987). Predominance of mite allergy over allergy to pollens and animal danders in a farming population. Clinical Allergy, 17, 417–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weeke, E. R., & Spieksma, F. T. M. (1991). Allergenic significance of Gramineae (Poaceae). In G. D’Amato, F. T. M. Spieksma, & S. Bonini (Eds.), Allergenic pollen and pollinosis in Europe (pp. 109–112). London: Blackwell Scientific Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yazicioglu, M., Oner, N., Celtik, C., Okutan, O., & Pala, O. (2004). Sensitization to common allergens, especially pollens, among children with respiratory allergy in the Trakya region of Turkey. Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology, 22, 183–190.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Art & Science, Osmangazi University, 26480, Meselik-Eskisehir, Turkey

    Ismuhan Potoglu Erkara & Suleyman Tokur

  2. Department of Ear-Nose-Throat, Faculty of Medicine, Osmangazi University, 26480, Meselik-Eskisehir, Turkey

    Cemal Cingi & Kezban Melek Gurbuz

  3. Medico-Social Center, Osmangazi University, 26480, Meselik-Eskisehir, Turkey

    Unal Ayranci

  4. Department of Biology, Faculty of Art & Science, Gazi University, 06500, Besevler-Ankara, Turkey

    Sevil Pehlivan

Authors
  1. Ismuhan Potoglu Erkara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Cemal Cingi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Unal Ayranci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kezban Melek Gurbuz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sevil Pehlivan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Suleyman Tokur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Unal Ayranci.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Erkara, I.P., Cingi, C., Ayranci, U. et al. Skin prick test reactivity in allergic rhinitis patients to airborne pollens. Environ Monit Assess 151, 401–412 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-008-0284-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-008-0284-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation