A PILOT STUDY OF SENSITIZATION TO PLANE TREE POLLEN IN SOFIA, BULGARIA

Abstract

Purpose: Platanus pollen is a serious cause of asthma, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis in many European countries. The aim of the present pilot study is to investigate the sensitization to 3 different plane tree species in a group of patients with pollinosis. Materials and methods: 21 patients were surveyed - 11 men and 10 women. A skin prick test was performed with a set of allergens: Grass pollen mix; Betulaceae pollen mix; Platanusorientalis; Platanusacerifolia; Platanusoccidentalis. Results: 95% of patients are sensitized to grass pollen, with moderate positive skin reactions predominating. 86% have a co-sensitization to tree pollens also, particularly to the birch tree family. Only 3 (14%) of the studied patients showed slight positive skin tests to the studied plane tree allergens, with no significant difference in sensitization to studied Platanus species (p>0,05). Conclusion: At present, the sensitization to different Platanus species is not comparable to that of grass or birch pollen. However, it will be necessary to conduct new long-term, large-scale studies to prove whether Platanus pose a real threat to people in urban areas. The results of this interdisciplinary study are important both for clinical allergologists and for landscape architects and ecologists involved in the planning and management of urban green infrastructure.