Korean J Med.
2014 Apr;86(4):453-461.
Association Between the Sensitization Rate for Inhalant Allergens in Patients with Respiratory Allergies and the Pollen Concentration in Ulsan, Korea
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea. choisw@uuh.ulsan.kr
- 2Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea.
- 3Environmental Health Center, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea.
- 4Department of Biological Science, University of Ulsan College of Natural Science, Ulsan, Korea.
Abstract
- BACKGROUND/AIMS
Pollinosis is an increasing problem, with allergenic pollen causing rhinitis, asthma, and other allergic diseases. This study examined the patterns of sensitization to inhalant allergens in patients with respiratory allergies and analyzed the regional pollen concentrations in Ulsan, Korea.
METHODS
A skin prick test was performed with 21 common inhalant allergens, including 18 types of pollen, in 634 patients with respiratory allergies from January of 2008 through December of 2010. Airborne pollen was collected daily from three different stations in Ulsan using a Durham sampler. Daily records and identification of the pollen types were made (2009-2010).
RESULTS
The sensitization rates for inhalant allergens were as follows: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (38.2%), Dermatophagoides farinae (38.0%), birch (15.8%), alder (15.3%), hazel (14.2%), oak (13.5%), beech (10.8%), mugwort (9.6%), and hop Japanese (5.2%). Airborne pollen has two peak seasons: tree pollen from February to June, followed by weed pollen from August to October. Pine tree, oak, and alder were the most frequently found pollen types in spring, whereas hop Japanese and mugwort were the most frequently found pollen types in autumn.
CONCLUSIONS
House dust mites are the most common offending allergen in Ulsan. The sensitization rates to some tree pollen types, including birch, alder, and hazel were higher than those of weed or grass pollen. Causative allergens are changing in response to climate change and air pollution. Continuous aerobiological monitoring is the cornerstone for observing changes in pollen and a prerequisite for the study of the effect of climate change on allergic diseases.
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