Invasive Growth of Ailanthus altissima Trees is Associated with a High Rate of Sensitization in Atopic Patients

Abstract

Purpose

Ailanthus altissima is one of the world’s most invasive species with a globally problematic spread. Pollen is dispersed locally and partially airborne. We aimed at investigating if (i) A. altissima pollen can be detected in relevant quantity in the air and if (ii) sensitization to A. altissima can be detected in patients with seasonal exacerbation of atopic diseases.

Patients and Methods

We recorded distribution of A. altissima in Leipzig, Germany. In 2019 and 2020, pollen was collected with a Hirst-type pollen trap placed on the roof of the University Hospital. Specific IgE investigations were performed in children and adults with history of atopic diseases with deterioration between May and July. We analysed specific IgE for A. altissima, Alternaria sp., birch, grasses, profilins, polcalcins and crossreacting carbohydrates.

Results

We found abundant growth of A. altissima and pollen was detected from early June to mid-July with a maximum pollen concentration of 31 pollen/m³. Out of 138 patients (63 female, 69 children/adolescents), 95 (69%) had seasonal allergic rhinitis, 84 (61%) asthma, and 43 (31%) atopic dermatitis. Sensitization to A. altissima was shown in 59 (42%). There were no significant differences between age groups. In 59% of patients sensitized (35/59), there was no sensitization to possibly cross-reacting structures.

Conclusion

Sensitization to A. altissima pollen could be detected in 42% of our patients with atopic diseases, suggesting allergenic potential of this neophyte. In the context of further spread with climate change, eradication strategies and population-based sensitization studies are needed.

Keywords:

• allergy
• invasive species
• neophyte
• pollinosis
• pollen count

Data Sharing Statement

The pollen data relevant for the study will be available from Dr. Susanne Dunker ([email protected]) on reasonable request.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

The study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty of the University of Leipzig (reference number 082-10-19042010). All patients gave informed consent. For the patients under 18 years of age, parents or legal guardians of provided informed consent. The patients’ data were processed in compliance with the Hospital Law of the Federal State of Saxony (§ 34 Abs.1 SächsKHG).

Consent for Publication

The authors give consent to publish the details of any images, videos, recordings, etc and that the person(s) providing consent have been shown the article contents to be published.

Acknowledgments

In addition, we want to thank Paul Remmler for the technical support during the installation and maintenance of the measuring station, as well as Marcus Karsten for pollen sampling in spring 2020, Prof. Dr. Karl-Christian Bergmann, Dr. Matthias & Dr. Barbora Werchan from the German Pollen Information Service (PID) at the Charité Berlin for renting the pollen trap, Vladislav Svyechkin for performing the A. altissima tree inventory during his BELL work under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ingolf Kühn. Dr. Peter Gutte supported us with a lot of local literature about A. altissima.

Authors` Contributions

SD, FP, JS, JG, MH and RT designed the study. SD performed the pollen distribution assessments. FP, MH, TL, JZ, MB, VZ, PK and RT were involved in clinical investigations, SK and TK performed IgE diagnostics, TH conducted the plotting of Figure S1 and was involved in managing the pollen traps, MB counted the pollen of the Burkard (Hirst-type) pollen traps. SK provided local knowledge of A. altissima. FP, SD, RT, and JS prepared the draft.

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. Freerk Prenzel and Regina Treudler should be considered joint first author.

Disclosure

Dr Freerk Prenzel reports personal fees from Sanofi Genzyme, personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Takeda, personal fees from Nutricia Milupa, outside the submitted work. Dr Tobias Lipek reports personal fees from Novartis, personal fees from Aimmune, personal fees from Sanofi Genzyme, outside the submitted work. Prof. Dr. Jon Genuneit reports grants from Danone Nutricia Research, grants from German Federal Ministry of Health, grants from German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, personal fees from Wiley Publishing Company & European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, outside the submitted work; In addition, Prof. Dr. Jon Genuneit has 2 patents on breast milk composition submitted by Danone Nutricia Research pending . Drs Susanne Dunker reports non-financial support from Luminex, during the conduct of the study; In addition, Drs Susanne Dunker has a patent PCT/EP2017/075553 pending to Susanne Dunker; and the work was partially funded by the German Research Foundation for support via the iDiv Flexpool Funding projects Grant Number: 34600865-16 (“Kick-off-Meeting PolDiv”), Grant Number: 34600830-13, (“PolDiv”-Project) and Grant Number: RA-373/20 (iCyt - Support Unit). The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

Studies were co-financed by the German Research Foundation via the iDiv-Flexpool (project number: 34600830-13, 34600865-16, RA-373/20) and the research project Smart Sensor-based Digital Ecosystem Services (S2DES), funded by the European Social Fund (ESF; Grant Agreement No. 100269858). The publication was supported by the Open Access Publication Fund of the Helmholtz Association.