Studies on the allergenicity of nine tropical pollen allergens

Abstract

Allergy evaluation studies using the antigens of nine commonly occuring airborne pollen grains in the state of Kerala, India were made. This includes the pollen grains of Areca catechu, Casuarina equisetifolia, Elaeis guinensis, Heteropogon contortus, Oreodoxa regia, Peltophorum ferrugineum, Phoenix dactylifera, Spathodea campanulata and Swietenia mahagony. Five hundred patients having respiratory complaints were selected for the study using these tropical pollen grains. Results were analysed in terms of age, sex, clinical history, family history and locality of the patients. The Oreodoxa antigen registered the maximum significant positivity followed by Heteropogon, Casuarina and Peltophorum. Age and family history of the patient had no direct influence in the positivity, but nature of the allergy, sex, phenological period and locality of the patient had a direct influence in hypersensitivity reactions. Similarly a very high positive correlation between Skin Test and Bronchial Provocation Test to these allergens among the tropical population was also proved. Thus the results established the role of these tropical allergens in eleciting Ig E mediated allergic reactions.