BACKGROUND: Sensitization to pollen and spores of the Southeast Asian tropical region is not well documented. This study evaluated the allergenicity of the tropical airspora in Singapore. METHODS: On the basis of the results of an aerobiologic survey of the airspora profile of Singapore, crude extracts of 23 main spore (fungal and fern) and pollen types were prepared. A total of 231 patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis and 76 healthy controls were evaluated by skin prick test (SPT). Total and specific IgE levels were also quantified by the fluorescence allergosorbent test (FAST). RESULTS: All 23 allergenic extracts tested elicited positive SPT responses. Among the patients with atopic diseases, extracts of oil-palm pollen (Elaeis guineensis) were observed to have the highest frequency of positive reactions (40%), followed by extracts of resam-fern spores (Dicranopteris linearis) (34%) and sea-teak pollen (Podocarpus polystachyus) (33.8%). Fungal spores with the highest SPT responses were Curvularia spp. (26-32%) and Drechslera-like spores (31%). Positive responses to these extracts correlated with total serum IgE levels of the subjects and were significantly associated with the presence of atopic disease. CONCLUSIONS: We have documented sensitization to tropical pollen and spores in our population. Its association with atopy suggests that it has a role in allergic diseases in the tropics.
BACKGROUND: Sensitization to pollen and spores of the Southeast Asian tropical region is not well documented. This study evaluated the allergenicity of the tropical airspora in Singapore. METHODS: On the basis of the results of an aerobiologic survey of the airspora profile of Singapore, crude extracts of 23 main spore (fungal and fern) and pollen types were prepared. A total of 231 patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis and 76 healthy controls were evaluated by skin prick test (SPT). Total and specific IgE levels were also quantified by the fluorescence allergosorbent test (FAST). RESULTS: All 23 allergenic extracts tested elicited positive SPT responses. Among the patients with atopic diseases, extracts of oil-palm pollen (Elaeis guineensis) were observed to have the highest frequency of positive reactions (40%), followed by extracts of resam-fern spores (Dicranopteris linearis) (34%) and sea-teak pollen (Podocarpus polystachyus) (33.8%). Fungal spores with the highest SPT responses were Curvularia spp. (26-32%) and Drechslera-like spores (31%). Positive responses to these extracts correlated with total serum IgE levels of the subjects and were significantly associated with the presence of atopic disease. CONCLUSIONS: We have documented sensitization to tropical pollen and spores in our population. Its association with atopy suggests that it has a role in allergic diseases in the tropics.
Authors: Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria; Zuleen Delina Fasya Abdul Ghani; Raden Nur Suraya Raden Mohd Nor; Hanan Kumar Gopalan; Mohd Roslan Sulaiman; Abdul Manan Mat Jais; Muhammad Nazrul Somchit; Arifah Abdul Kader; Johari Ripin Journal: J Nat Med Date: 2008-01-12 Impact factor: 2.343
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