Hypersensitivity to pollen of four different species of Brassica : a clinico-immunologic evaluation in patients of respiratory allergy in India

Abstract

BackgroundRapeseed-mustard is the second most important source of edible oil in India. Several species of Brassica are grown in different parts of country for its oilseeds.ObjectiveThe objective was to investigate allergenicity to antigenic extracts of pollen of 4 species of Brassica.MethodsBrassica campestris, Brassica juncea, Brassica nigra, and Brassica napus were selected for the detailed investigation. Pollen samples from each of the four species were collected from the polliniferous materials. The antigenic and allergenic profiles of these extracts were evaluated by means of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Skin prick test, enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay and Western blot on atopic individuals.ResultsOut of the 159 atopic subjects tested, 21.38% were positive to at least one or other species of Brassica pollen, with highest skin positivity (13.20%) to B. campestris extract. Raised IgE with significant linear correlation with intensity of skin reactions was obtained. Protein fractions of 20, 25, 32, 37, 56, and 90 kDa were recognized by B. campestris and B. juncea whereas 56, 76, 87, and 90 kDa were recognized by B. nigra and B. napus as major IgE binding protein fractions. The patients also showed positivity to other inhalant pollen allergens tested.ConclusionIgE mediated hypersensitivity varied from 4.40% to 13.20% in Indian atopic subjects to pollen of one or the other species of Brassica. Protein fractions of 47, 56, 76, 87, and 90 kDa were identified as IgE binding by all the four species, however individual heterogeneity exists. Thus a local species may be more pertinent for immunotherapy. The major allergen needs to be further characterized.

Particularities of allergy in the Tropics

“…Positive SPT reactions were detected in 29.8 % of 282 patients with respiratory allergy [ 285 ]. IgE mediated hypersensitivity varied from 4.40 to 13.20 % in Indian atopic subjects to pollens of one or more species of Brassica , a source of Rapeseed-mustard [ 286 ].…”

Pollen Diversity and Pollination Calender of Some Allergenically Significant Plants of Birbhum District, West Bengal

“…In the studied taxa the pollen grains mostly have spheroidal, prolate-spheroidal and sub-prolate shape followed by prolate, oblate-spheroidal and other types. A pollen key ( Table-3) has been prepared on the basis of the pollen morphological characters, which serve as an easy palynotaxonomic identification tool for the proper detection of the allergenic pollen grains in the surrounding atmosphere and allergenic plants also [21][22][23] . Thus, the present investigation reflects a wide range of diversity in the shape, size, apertual types and exine ornamentation pattern in the allergenic pollen grains, which is very useful for the identification of allergenic plants from the palynotaxonomic point of view.…”

Current glimpse of airborne allergenic pollen in Indian subcontinent

“…An aerobiological survey from Delhi and the surroundings area reported the prevalence of pollen grains from 4 species of Brassica such as B. campestris, B. juncea, B. nigra, and B. napus in 2014 [6]. Among 159 atopic patients tested, 21.38% were positive to one or more than one species of Brassica pollen.…”