The grass pollen season 2015: a proof of concept multi-approach study in three different European cities.
- Author(s)
- Maximilian Kmenta, Katharina Bastl, Uwe Berger, Matthias F. Kramer, Matthew D. Heath, Sanna Pätsi, Anna-Mari Pessi, Annika Saarto, Matthias Werchan, Reinhard Zetter, Barbora Werchan, Karl-Christian Bergmann
- Abstract
Background: Grasses release the most widespread aeroallergens with considerable sensitization rates, while different species produce several pollen concentration peaks throughout the season. This study analyzed the prevalence of grass species in three different European city areas and compared the flowering period of these species with daily pollen concentrations and the symptom loads of grass pollen allergy sufferers.
Methods: The most prevalent grass species in Vienna (Austria), Berlin (Germany) and Turku (Finland) were studied and examined by use of three different approaches: phenology, pollen monitoring and symptom load evaluation. A mobile pollen exposure chamber was employed to observe reaction patterns of grass pollen allergy sufferers to three common grass species evaluated in this study versus placebo.
Results: Common meadow grass (Poa pratensis) and the fescue grass species (Festuca spp.) are important contributors within the grass pollen season. The pollination period of orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) and false-oat grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) indicated a greater importance in Berlin and Vienna, whereas a broader spectrum of grass species contributed in Turku to the main pollen season. The standardized provocation induced a nasal symptom load, reduction in nasal flow and increased secretion, in contrary to the placebo control group in grass pollen allergic subjects.
Conclusion: The phenological observations, pollen measurements and symptom data evaluation provided unique insights into the contribution of multiple grass species in different European regions. All investigated grass species in the provocation induced rhinitis symptoms of comparable significance, with some degree of variation in symptom patterns.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Palaeontology
- External organisation(s)
- Medizinische Universität Wien, Bencard Allergie GmbH, Allergy Therapeutics PLC, University of Turku, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Foundation German Pollen Information Service
- Journal
- World Allergy Organization Journal
- Volume
- 10
- No. of pages
- 12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s40413-017-0163-2
- Publication date
- 09-2017
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 105117 Palaeobotany
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Allergy, Immunology
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/dc58923b-4721-4913-8c83-287e623a9d7b