Immunochemical and Physical Quantitation of Grass and Olive Pollen Allergens: Correlation With Asthma Admissions in Cáceres, Spain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The association between pollen counts and allergen levels in the air is controversial. Objectives: The aims of the study were to quantify total and major allergen levels of Phleum pratense and Olea europaea and to analyze their correlation with grass and olive pollen counts and the number of asthma attacks attended at Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Cáceres, Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A volumetric air sampler and a Burkard spore trap were used for pollen and aeroallergen collection during April- June 2011. Filters were extracted, and major allergens were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: May was the main grass pollination period, with a maximum peak of 1362 grains/m3 (May 13). The main pollination period for olive was April 30-May 20, with a maximum peak of 851 grains/m3 (May 11). A moderate correlation was observed between asthma exacerbations and grass pollen counts or Phleum total allergen levels; this became stronger when a 3-day offset was introduced. A significant association was observed between asthma exacerbations and total olive allergen or olive pollen grain levels when a 1-day offset was introduced. The maximum correlation (moderate-high) was observed 4 days and 6 days away from the maximum olive pollen peak and the maximum Ole e 1 peak level, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a significant correlation between grass and olive pollination and an increase in the number of visits to the emergency room for asthma attacks. The aerobiological pattern of allergen levels in the air is similar to that of pollen counts during the grass and olive pollination periods.

Immunochemical and physical quantitation of grass and olive pollen allergens: correlation with asthma admissions in Cáceres, Spain

BACKGROUND: The association between pollen counts and allergen levels in the air is controversial. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to quantify total and major allergen levels of Phleum pratense and Olea europaea and to analyze their correlation with grass and olive pollen counts and the number of asthma attacks attended at Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Cáceres, Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A volumetric air sampler and a Burkard spore trap were used for pollen and aeroallergen collection during April- June 2011. Filters were extracted, and major allergens were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: May was the main grass pollination period, with a maximum peak of 1362 grains/m3 (May 13). The main pollination period for olive was April 30-May 20, with a maximum peak of 851 grains/m3 (May 11). A moderate correlation was observed between asthma exacerbations and grass pollen counts or Phleum total allergen levels; this became stronger when a 3-day offset was introduced. A significant association was observed between asthma exacerbations and total olive allergen or olive pollen grain levels when a 1-day offset was introduced. The maximum correlation (moderate-high) was observed 4 days and 6 days away from the maximum olive pollen peak and the maximum Ole e 1 peak level, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a significant correlation between grass and olive pollination and an increase in the number of visits to the emergency room for asthma attacks. The aerobiological pattern of allergen levels in the air is similar to that of pollen counts during the grass and olive pollination periods

ANTECEDENTES: La relación entre los niveles de pólenes en el aire y los niveles de alérgenos es controvertida. OBJETIVOS: El objetivo de este estudio fue cuantificar los niveles de alérgenos principales y totales de Phleum pratense y Olea europaea, y analizar su relación con los niveles de pólenes y el número de crisis asmáticas atendidas en el Complejo Hospitalario de Cáceres, España. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se captaron pólenes y aeroalérgenos durante Abril-Junio de 2011, utilizando un colector de aire volumétrico y una trampa Burkard. Se extrajeron los alérgenos de los filtros y se cuantificaron mediante ELISA. RESULTADOS: Mayo fue el periodo de mayor polinización, (13 de Mayo, pico máximo de 1.362 granos de polen de gramíneas/m3). El mayor periodo de polinización del olivo fue del 30 de Abril al 20 de Mayo, (11 de Mayo, pico máximo: 851 granos de polen de olivo/m3). Se observó una correlación moderada entre los niveles de polen o alérgenos totales y exacerbaciones de asma, que aumentó al introducir un desfase de 3 días (Phleum), y de 1 día (olivo). La máxima correlación se observó a los 4 y 6 días del pico máximo de polen y de Ole e 1, respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio muestra una correlación significativa entre la polinización de gramíneas y olivo y el aumento del número de visitas a urgencias debidas a crisis asmáticas. Los patrones aerobiológicos de los niveles de alérgenos en el aire son comparables a los recuentos de pólenes durante los periodos de polinización de gramíneas y olivo