BACKGROUND: Climate changes may affect the quality and amount of airborne allergenic pollens. The direct assessment of such an effect requires long observation periods and a restricted geographic area. OBJECTIVE: To assess variations in pollens and allergic sensitizations across 27 years in relation to climate change in a specific region. METHODS: We recorded pollen counts, season durations, and prevalences of sensitizations for 5 major pollens (birch, cypress, olive, grass, and Parietaria) in western Liguria between 1981 and 2007. Pollen counts were performed using a Hirst-type trap, and sensitizations were assessed by means of skin prick testing. Meteorologic data for the same period included average temperatures, direct radiation, humidity, number of sunny days, and rainfall. RESULTS: There was a progressive increase in the duration of the pollen seasons for Parietaria (+85 days), olive (+18 days), and cypress (+18 days), with an overall advance of their start dates. For Parietaria, there was an advance of 2 months in 2006 vs 1981. Also, the total pollen load progressively increased for the considered species (approximately 25% on average) except for grasses. Percentages of patients sensitized to the pollens increased throughout the years, whereas the percentage of individuals sensitized to house dust mite remained stable. These behaviors paralleled the constant increase in direct radiation, temperature, and number of days with a temperature greater than 30 degrees C. CONCLUSION: The progressive climate changes, with increased temperatures, may modify the global pollen load and affect the rate of allergic sensitization across long periods.
BACKGROUND: Climate changes may affect the quality and amount of airborne allergenic pollens. The direct assessment of such an effect requires long observation periods and a restricted geographic area. OBJECTIVE: To assess variations in pollens and allergic sensitizations across 27 years in relation to climate change in a specific region. METHODS: We recorded pollen counts, season durations, and prevalences of sensitizations for 5 major pollens (birch, cypress, olive, grass, and Parietaria) in western Liguria between 1981 and 2007. Pollen counts were performed using a Hirst-type trap, and sensitizations were assessed by means of skin prick testing. Meteorologic data for the same period included average temperatures, direct radiation, humidity, number of sunny days, and rainfall. RESULTS: There was a progressive increase in the duration of the pollen seasons for Parietaria (+85 days), olive (+18 days), and cypress (+18 days), with an overall advance of their start dates. For Parietaria, there was an advance of 2 months in 2006 vs 1981. Also, the total pollen load progressively increased for the considered species (approximately 25% on average) except for grasses. Percentages of patients sensitized to the pollens increased throughout the years, whereas the percentage of individuals sensitized to house dust mite remained stable. These behaviors paralleled the constant increase in direct radiation, temperature, and number of days with a temperature greater than 30 degrees C. CONCLUSION: The progressive climate changes, with increased temperatures, may modify the global pollen load and affect the rate of allergic sensitization across long periods.
Authors: Lewis Ziska; Kim Knowlton; Christine Rogers; Dan Dalan; Nicole Tierney; Mary Ann Elder; Warren Filley; Jeanne Shropshire; Linda B Ford; Curtis Hedberg; Pamela Fleetwood; Kim T Hovanky; Tony Kavanaugh; George Fulford; Rose F Vrtis; Jonathan A Patz; Jay Portnoy; Frances Coates; Leonard Bielory; David Frenz Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2011-02-22 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: F Spinozzi; N Murgia; S Baldacci; S Maio; A P Pala; C Casciari; M dell'Omo; G Viegi Journal: Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol Date: 2015-12-17 Impact factor: 3.219
Authors: Ilkka Hanski; Leena von Hertzen; Nanna Fyhrquist; Kaisa Koskinen; Kaisa Torppa; Tiina Laatikainen; Piia Karisola; Petri Auvinen; Lars Paulin; Mika J Mäkelä; Erkki Vartiainen; Timo U Kosunen; Harri Alenius; Tari Haahtela Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2012-05-07 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Gennaro D'Amato; Carlos E Baena-Cagnani; Lorenzo Cecchi; Isabella Annesi-Maesano; Carlos Nunes; Ignacio Ansotegui; Maria D'Amato; Gennaro Liccardi; Matteo Sofia; Walter G Canonica Journal: Multidiscip Respir Med Date: 2013-02-11
Authors: Tari Haahtela; Stephen Holgate; Ruby Pawankar; Cezmi A Akdis; Suwat Benjaponpitak; Luis Caraballo; Jeffrey Demain; Jay Portnoy; Leena von Hertzen Journal: World Allergy Organ J Date: 2013-01-31 Impact factor: 4.084