Pollen allergic disease: pollens and its major allergens

Abstract

Patients with grass pollen allergy, commonly called pollinosis, often present reactivity to pollen allergens from a number of grass species due to cross-reactivity of IgE antibodies to pollen proteins present in pollen grasses. In this context, Italian rye grass (Lolium multiflorum) pollen of the Poaceae family cultivated in Southern Brazil has been considered a major sensitizing agent in patients with pollinosis. In this region, Italian rye grass is capable of producing a great amount of pollen. In addition to L. multiflorum, other Poaceae grasses are naturally grown as weed in Southern Brazil, but with no clinical relevance. Pollen extracts derived from homologous or heterologous grasses are often used for both diagnosis and treatment of seasonal allergy. However, no standardized L. multiflorum pollen extract is commercially available in Brazil and mixed grass extracts are commonly used for diagnosis and immunotherapy of grass pollen allergy. Further studies are required to better characterize the cross-reactivity between L. multiflorum and other grass pollen allergens for improving the diagnosis and immunotherapy to L. multiflorum pollen allergy.

Correlations Between Allergen-Specific IgE Serum Levels in Patients With Ocular Allergy

“…Currently, there is no commercial L. multiflorum extract, standardized or not, for clinical use in skin testing or immunotherapy. 27 In a Brazilian study, Goulart et al (using a prick test) observed 75% positivity for any type of allergens in patients with VKC. Dust and dust mite extracts (D. pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinea) were the most frequent positives.…”

Airborne pollen and fungal spores in Garki, Abuja (North-Central Nigeria)

“…Poaceae pollen include the wild and cultivated grass pollen, which were more abundant from June and December; pollen allergies at this period could be attributed partly to their higher antigenic load. Taketomi et al (2008) founded the pollen of Poaceae family as a major sensitizing agent in patients with pollinosis. D’Amato et al (2007) stated also that grass-induced pollinosis is the most common pollen allergy in Europe.…”

Current Overview of Allergens of Plant Pathogenesis Related Protein Families

“…These allergens may diffuse into the body from the upper respiratory tract or enter the body through intake of vast range of plant food or may cause external skin irritations [3–5]. Allergens present primarily in pollens, spores, and other plant associated products are responsible for symptoms like rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, edema, urticarial, and anaphylaxis [6–8].…”