Assessing degree of flowering implicates multiple Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae species in allergy.

BACKGROUND: IgE-mediated sensitization to the Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae families is a cause of allergic symptoms in arid areas. Salsola kali and Chenopodium album are considered the main species responsible; however, there is a discrepancy between the pollination period of these two plants and clinical symptoms. The objectives of this study were to identify new Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae members with sensitization capacity and to correlate symptoms, pollen counts and degree of flowering of different species. METHODS: A total of 37 individuals monosensitized to S. kali and C. album were included in the study. All patients recorded daily symptom scores between May and October 2007. Extracts from Chenopodium (album, vulvaria and murale), Salsola (kali, vermiculata, and oppositifolia), Bassia scoparia, Atriplex (patula and halimus) and Amaranthus (deflexus and muricatus) were manufactured and used in skin prick tests (SPTs). Protein content and IgE binding were assessed for each extract. Pollen counts and degree of flowering (based on the Orshan specific semiquantitative method) were assessed weekly. RESULTS: Symptom scores demonstrated a positive correlation with pollen counts even outside the pollination period of S. kali. Positive SPTs were obtained with all 11 species tested, which showed common proteins with IgE-binding capacity. Different species flowered at different times during the pollen season. CONCLUSION: Different taxonomically related species of Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae can induce allergic sensitization and should be considered for use in diagnosis and treatment. Degree of flowering is a complementary method for assessing pollination that could be used for botanical families with indistinguishable pollen grains.

Airborne contact dermatitis in gaitas (flageolets) constructors after exposure to sawdust of caviuna.

Exotic wood species are used in the manufacture of furniture, musical instruments, tool handles, and other wooden items. Exposure to sawdust of the wood can produce dermatitis on exposed areas in woodworkers. We studied 7 patients, gaitas constructors who used caviuna wood to make their instruments. They developed dermatitis on exposed areas hours after they had begun to work with caviuna. We performed patch tests using the European standard series, caviuna sawdust sample, and a series of dalbergiones. 15 controls were performed. Two caviuna samples provided by a patient were analysed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Patch test with caviuna sawdust yielded positive reactions in all patients. 5 of the 7 sufferers reacted strongly to obtusaquinine and (R)-4-methoxydalbergione deriving from Dalbergia retusa, but also to sensitizers present in other rosewoods. Patch tests with R-3,4-dimethoxydalbergione deriving from Machaerium scleroxylum remained negative in the patients, as well as in control subjects. The TLC analysis of the samples showed that the woods could have been M. scleroxylum, D. cearensis or D. frustescens, but not D. retusa. In our patients, airborne contact dermatitis was caused by exposure to caviuna sawdust. The patients must have been in contact with different Dalbergia species and especially with D. retusa.