Allergy to cypress pollen

Abstract

Although Cupressus sempervirens has been spread over southern Europe since antiquity, cypress pollen allergy has not been reported until 1945 (1). In France, the very first case reports were published in 1962 (2). Since then, the prevalence of cypress pollinosis seems to demonstrate an upward trend, concomitantly with the increased use of cypress trees as ornamental plants, as wind breaks and as hedges. Hyposensitization, using improved pollen extracts, is increasingly prescribed. Besides, prevention measures begin to be implemented. Such measures include avoidance of planting new cypress trees, especially near human populations’ centres, trimming of cypress hedges before the pollination season and agronomical research for hypoallergenic trees. Altogether, such new developments in cypress allergy deserve an update review.

Cupressaceae Pollen Grains Modulate Dendritic Cell Response and Exhibit IgE-Inducing Adjuvant Activity In Vivo

“…Cupressaceae pollen has also been identified as a source of pollinosis in Mediterranean countries (2,50) and the United States (51,52). Large studies on unselected young adults in France and Italy estimated the prevalence of allergies to cypress pollen to be ϳ2.4 -8% of the general population (1, 2, 50).…”

“…Pollen grains of trees of the Cupressaceae family including the Taxodiaceae, such as Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtuse), Cupressus species, and Juniperus species, are relevant sources of allergens (2,3,5). In Europe and North America, birch of Betula species is the most important allergenic tree (5).…”

“…ollen is an important trigger of seasonal rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and/or asthma and an exacerbating factor in atopic dermatitis (1)(2)(3)(4). Pollen grains of trees of the Cupressaceae family including the Taxodiaceae, such as Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtuse), Cupressus species, and Juniperus species, are relevant sources of allergens (2,3,5).…”

High Levels of Allergenic Tree Pollen in Southern New Zealand

“…In the Mediterranean region, the sensitization rate and exposure level to Cupressaceae pollen antigens is highly variable with over 30% of pollinosis patients reported to be sensitized to Cupressaceae pollen, whilst in the general population, the rate varies from 2.4 to 9.6% [21]. Interestingly, Cupressus in the Mediterranean is responsible for winter pollinosis when no other allergenic plants are flowering [20,22].…”

Cypress pollen allergy is responsible for two distinct phenotypes of allergic rhinitis different from other pollinosis

“…Only few data is available on tree pollen allergy and more specifically on cypress pollen allergy, although there is emerging evidence that clinical feature of cypress pollen allergy differs from other pollinosis. As an example, cypress pollinosis has been characterized by a lower prevalence of conjunctivitis and a higher prevalence of dry cough during pollen season than Gramineae pollinosis (1). In this study, we aim to focus on the clinical and biological features of cypress pollen allergy in order to determine whether cypress pollen-induced allergic rhinitis is associated with a specific phenotype of allergic rhinitis or not.…”