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Mulder BC, Kasteleyn MJ, Hall L, van Vliet AJ, de Weger LA. Self-management and information needs of adults with seasonal allergic rhinitis in the Netherlands: A focus group study. J Health Psychol 2024:13591053241272150. [PMID: 39171749 DOI: 10.1177/13591053241272150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This focus group study explored the needs, preferences and beliefs of adults with seasonal allergic rhinitis regarding their self-management practices, and related information use and needs. Four focus groups were held, two online and two on location. The 20 participants (11 women); Mage = 39.0 years (range: 21-56 years) were reluctant to identify themselves as patients, trivializing their complaints while avoiding being confronted too much with their condition. Participants often expressed low trust in the effectiveness of medication and the ability of healthcare to alleviate their complaints. This resulted in relatively low openness to information such as personalized pollen predictions. Findings were synthesized under three interrelated themes: 'Being ill, but not a patient: it's bad, but you learn to live with it', 'Individual search for what does or doesn't work' and 'Information needs and sources'. Implications for communication supportive of self-management practices for seasonal allergic rhinitis are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bob C Mulder
- Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands
| | | | - Lisbeth Hall
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), The Netherlands
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2
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Ščevková J, Štefániková N, Dušička J, Lafférsová J, Zahradníková E. Long-term pollen season trends of Fraxinus (ash), Quercus (oak) and Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) as indicators of anthropogenic climate change impact. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:43238-43248. [PMID: 38898346 PMCID: PMC11222177 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34027-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The ongoing climatic change, together with atmospheric pollution, influences the timing, duration and intensity of pollen seasons of some allergenic plant taxa. To study these influences, we correlated the trends in the pollen season characteristics of both woody (Fraxinus, Quercus) and herbaceous (Ambrosia) taxa from two pollen monitoring stations in Slovakia with the trends in meteorological factors and air pollutants during the last two decades. In woody species, the increased temperature during the formation of flower buds in summer and autumn led to an earlier onset and intensification of next year's pollen season, especially in Quercus. The increase of relative air humidity and precipitation during this time also had a positive influence on the intensity of the pollen season of trees. The pollen season of the invasive herbaceous species Ambrosia artemisiifolia was prolonged by increased temperature and humidity during the summer and autumn of the same year, which extended the blooming period and delayed the end of the pollen season. From the studied air pollutants, only three were found to correlate with the intensity of the pollen season of the studied taxa, CO - positively and SO2 and NO2 - negatively. It is important to study these long-term trends since they not only give us valuable insight into the response of plants to changing conditions but also enable the prognosis of the exacerbations of pollen-related allergenic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Ščevková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany, Comenius University in Bratislava, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Natália Štefániková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany, Comenius University in Bratislava, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Jozef Dušička
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany, Comenius University in Bratislava, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Janka Lafférsová
- Department of Environmental Biology, Public Health Office, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Eva Zahradníková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany, Comenius University in Bratislava, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
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3
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Sampath V, Aguilera J, Prunicki M, Nadeau KC. Mechanisms of climate change and related air pollution on the immune system leading to allergic disease and asthma. Semin Immunol 2023; 67:101765. [PMID: 37105834 PMCID: PMC10275624 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is considered the greatest threat to global health. Greenhouse gases as well as global surface temperatures have increased causing more frequent and intense heat and cold waves, wildfires, floods, drought, altered rainfall patterns, hurricanes, thunderstorms, air pollution, and windstorms. These extreme weather events have direct and indirect effects on the immune system, leading to allergic disease due to exposure to pollen, molds, and other environmental pollutants. In this review, we will focus on immune mechanisms associated with allergy and asthma-related health risks induced by climate change events. We will review current understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which the changing environment mediates these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanitha Sampath
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Juan Aguilera
- Center for Community Health Impact, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Mary Prunicki
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kari C Nadeau
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Frisk CA, Adams-Groom B, Smith M. Isolating the species element in grass pollen allergy: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 883:163661. [PMID: 37094678 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Grass pollen is a leading cause of allergy in many countries, particularly Europe. Although many elements of grass pollen production and dispersal are quite well researched, gaps still remain around the grass species that are predominant in the air and which of those are most likely to trigger allergy. In this comprehensive review we isolate the species aspect in grass pollen allergy by exploring the interdisciplinary interdependencies between plant ecology, public health, aerobiology, reproductive phenology and molecular ecology. We further identify current research gaps and provide open ended questions and recommendations for future research in an effort to focus the research community to develop novel strategies to combat grass pollen allergy. We emphasise the role of separating temperate and subtropical grasses, identified through divergence in evolutionary history, climate adaptations and flowering times. However, allergen cross-reactivity and the degree of IgE connectivity in sufferers between the two groups remains an area of active research. The importance of future research to identify allergen homology through biomolecular similarity and the connection to species taxonomy and practical implications of this to allergenicity is further emphasised. We also discuss the relevance of eDNA and molecular ecological techniques (DNA metabarcoding, qPCR and ELISA) as important tools in quantifying the connection between the biosphere with the atmosphere. By gaining more understanding of the connection between species-specific atmospheric eDNA and flowering phenology we will further elucidate the importance of species in releasing grass pollen and allergens to the atmosphere and their individual role in grass pollen allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl A Frisk
- Department of Urban Greening and Vegetation Ecology, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Ås, Norway.
| | - Beverley Adams-Groom
- School of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Worcester, United Kingdom
| | - Matt Smith
- School of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Worcester, United Kingdom
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5
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Adams-Groom B, Selby K, Derrett S, Frisk CA, Pashley CH, Satchwell J, King D, McKenzie G, Neilson R. Pollen season trends as markers of climate change impact: Betula, Quercus and Poaceae. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 831:154882. [PMID: 35364159 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The incidences of respiratory allergies are at an all-time high. Pollen aeroallergens can reflect changing climate, with recent studies in Europe showing some, but not all, pollen types are increasing in severity, season duration and experiencing an earlier onset. This study aimed to identify pollen trends in the UK over the last twenty-six years for a range of pollen sites, with a focus on the key pollen types of Poaceae (grass), Betula (birch) and Quercus (oak) and to examine the relationship of these trends with meteorological factors. Betula pollen seasons show no significant trends for onset, first high day or duration but increasing pollen production in the Midlands region of the UK is being driven by warmer temperatures in the previous June and July. Quercus pollen seasons are starting earlier, due to increasing temperature and sunshine totals in April, but are not becoming more severe. The seasons are lasting longer, although no significant climate drivers for this were identified. The first high day of the Poaceae pollen season is occurring earlier in central UK regions due to an increasing trend for all temperature variables in the previous December, January, April, May and June. Severity and duration of the season show no significant trends and are spatially and temporally variable. Important changes are occurring in the UK pollen seasons that will impact on the health of respiratory allergy sufferers, with more severe Betula pollen seasons and longer Quercus pollen seasons. Most of the changes identified were caused by climate drivers of increasing temperature and sunshine total. However, Poaceae pollen seasons are neither becoming more severe nor longer. The reasons for this included a lack of change in some monthly meteorological variables, or land-use change, such as grassland being replaced by urban areas or woodland.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katherine Selby
- The Department of Environment and Geography, Wentworth Way, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5NG, UK.
| | - Sally Derrett
- Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield, Minalloy House, 10-16 Regent St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield, S1 3NJ, UK.
| | - Carl A Frisk
- School of Science and Environment, University of Worcester, WR2 6AJ, UK.
| | - Catherine Helen Pashley
- Aerobiology and Clinical Mycology, Department of Respiratory Sciences, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
| | - Jack Satchwell
- Aerobiology and Clinical Mycology, Department of Respiratory Sciences, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
| | - Dale King
- The James Hutton Institute, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, UK.
| | | | - Roy Neilson
- The James Hutton Institute, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, UK.
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Rodríguez-Fernández A, Oteros J, Vega-Maray AM, Valencia-Barrera RM, Galán C, Fernández-González D. How to select the optimal monitoring locations for an aerobiological network: A case of study in central northwest of Spain. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 827:154370. [PMID: 35276149 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Airborne pollen concentration varies depending on several factors, such as local plant biodiversity, geography and climatology. These particles are involved in triggering pollinosis in a share of worldwide human population, and adequate monitoring is, therefore, important. However, the pollen traps in aerobiological monitoring networks are usually installed in cities, and the features of the whole territory are not taken into account. The aim of this study was to analyze what environmental parameters are more suitable as regards setting up monitoring stations throughout a territory in order to obtain an aerobiological network that can represent environmental diversity. The analysis was carried out in 13 locations in Castilla y León over an 8 year period. This is a favorable territory in which to conduct this type of study owing to its climatic features, orography and biodiversity. The ten most abundant pollen types in the region were analyzed, and a clustering analysis was calculated with different distances so as to obtain homogeneous groups of stations. Moreover, the clusters obtained were analyzed in combination with altitudinal and different bioclimatic parameters, which derived from temperature and precipitation. The result here shows that the Castilla y León aerobiological network RACYL represents most of the environmental variability of the territory. Furthermore, it can be divided into two clusters and five sub-clusters for which the start of the main pollen season is different. This corresponds with the division of the territory as regards bioclimatic conditions. The most important bioclimatic parameters were the seasonality of the precipitation and the maximum temperature of the warmest month, although orography must also be taken into account. All of these help discover the optimal places in which to install traps and could reduce the number of monitoring stations. This study additionally provides data for unmonitored areas with similar bioclimatic conditions to those monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José Oteros
- Department of Botany, Ecology, Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba, Spain
| | | | | | - Carmen Galán
- Department of Botany, Ecology, Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba, Spain
| | - Delia Fernández-González
- Biodiversity and Environmental Management, University of León, Spain; Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate-CNR, Bologna, Italy
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7
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Combined Exposure to Birch Pollen and Thunderstorms Affects Respiratory Health in Stockholm, Sweden-A Time Series Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19105852. [PMID: 35627390 PMCID: PMC9141405 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19105852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Background: Thunderstorm asthma is a term used to describe surges in acute respiratory illnesses following a thunderstorm and is often attributed to an intense exposure to aeroallergens. Several episodes of thunderstorm asthma have been observed worldwide; however, no such cases have been described in Sweden. In Sweden, the most prominent exposure to air-borne pollen occurs during the blooming of the birch. We aimed to explore the associations between respiratory health and the combined exposure to thunderstorms and birch pollen. Methods: We investigated the association between the daily numbers of outpatient visits due to respiratory cases and the combined exposure to thunderstorms and birch pollen during the period of 1 May–31 September in 2001–2017, in Stockholm County, Sweden, by using time series analysis with log linear models. Results: We detected noticeable increases in the number of outpatient visits on both the same day (max 26%; 95% CI 1.16–1.37) and the day after (max 50%; 95% CI 1.32–1.70) the occurrence of a thunderstorm, when the concentrations of birch pollen and the number of lightning discharges were within the highest categories. Conclusions: It is possible that co-exposure to heavy thunderstorms and high concentrations of birch pollen affects the respiratory health of the Stockholm population. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study addressing the thunderstorm-related respiratory illnesses in Sweden and the effects of birch pollen. Our study may be important for future public health advice related to thunderstorm asthma.
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8
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Addison-Smith B, Milic A, Dwarakanath D, Simunovic M, Van Haeften S, Timbrell V, Davies JM. Medium-Term Increases in Ambient Grass Pollen Between 1994-1999 and 2016-2020 in a Subtropical Climate Zone. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2022; 2:705313. [PMID: 35387005 PMCID: PMC8974679 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2021.705313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Grass pollen is the major outdoor trigger of allergic respiratory diseases. Climate change is influencing pollen seasonality in Northern Hemisphere temperate regions, but many aspects of the effects on grass pollen remain unclear. Carbon dioxide and temperature rises could increase the distribution of subtropical grasses, however, medium term shifts in grass pollen in subtropical climates have not yet been analysed. This study investigates changes in grass pollen aerobiology in a subtropical city of Brisbane, Australia, between the two available monitoring periods, 1994-1999 and 2016-2020. Potential drivers of pollen change were examined including weather and satellite-derived vegetation indicators. The magnitude of the seasonal pollen index for grass showed almost a three-fold increase for 2016-2020 over 1994-1999. The number and proportion of high and extreme grass pollen days in the recent period increased compared to earlier monitoring. Statistically significant changes were also identified for distributions of CO2, satellite-derived seasonal vegetation health indices, and daily maximum temperatures, but not for minimum temperatures, daily rainfall, or seasonal fraction of green groundcover. Quarterly grass pollen levels were correlated with corresponding vegetation health indices, and with green groundcover fraction, suggesting that seasonal-scale plant health was higher in the latter period. The magnitude of grass pollen exposure in the subtropical region of Brisbane has increased markedly in the recent past, posing an increased environmental health threat. This study suggests the need for continuous pollen monitoring to track and respond to the possible effects of climate change on grass pollen loads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Addison-Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Centre for the Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Andelija Milic
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Centre for the Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Divya Dwarakanath
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Centre for the Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Marko Simunovic
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Centre for the Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Shanice Van Haeften
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Centre for the Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Victoria Timbrell
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Centre for the Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Janet M Davies
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Centre for the Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Office of Research, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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9
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Nadeau KC, Agache I, Jutel M, Annesi Maesano I, Akdis M, Sampath V, D'Amato G, Cecchi L, Traidl‐Hoffmann C, Akdis CA. Climate change: A call to action for the United Nations. Allergy 2022; 77:1087-1090. [PMID: 34476822 DOI: 10.1111/all.15079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kari C. Nadeau
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine Stanford University Stanford California USA
| | - Ioana Agache
- Faculty of Medicine Transylvania University Brasov Romania
| | - Marek Jutel
- Department of Clinical Immunology Wrocław Medical University Wrocław Poland
- All‐MED Medical Research Institute Wrocław Poland
| | - Isabella Annesi Maesano
- Desbrest Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health INSERM, and Montpellier University Montpellier France
| | - Mübeccel Akdis
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) University of Zurich Davos Switzerland
| | - Vanitha Sampath
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Department of Medicine Stanford University Stanford California USA
| | - Gennaro D'Amato
- Division of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Department of Chest Diseases High Specialty A, Cardarelli Hospital, and Medical School of Specialization in Respiratory Diseases University of Naples Federico II Naples Italy
| | - Lorenzo Cecchi
- Centre of Bioclimatology University of Florence Florence Italy
| | - Claudia Traidl‐Hoffmann
- Department of Environmental Medicine University of Augsburg Augsburg Germany
- Institute of Environmental Medicine Helmholtz Center Munich ‐ German Research Center for Environmental Health Augsburg Germany
| | - Cezmi A. Akdis
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) University of Zurich Davos Switzerland
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10
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Rojo J, Oteros J, Picornell A, Maya-Manzano JM, Damialis A, Zink K, Werchan M, Werchan B, Smith M, Menzel A, Timpf S, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Bergmann KC, Schmidt-Weber CB, Buters J. Effects of future climate change on birch abundance and their pollen load. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:5934-5949. [PMID: 34363285 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Climate change impacts on the structure and function of ecosystems will worsen public health issues like allergic diseases. Birch trees (Betula spp.) are important sources of aeroallergens in Central and Northern Europe. Birches are vulnerable to climate change as these trees are sensitive to increased temperatures and summer droughts. This study aims to examine the effect of climate change on airborne birch pollen concentrations in Central Europe using Bavaria in Southern Germany as a case study. Pollen data from 28 monitoring stations in Bavaria were used in this study, with time series of up 30 years long. An integrative approach was used to model airborne birch pollen concentrations taking into account drivers influencing birch tree abundance and birch pollen production and projections made according to different climate change and socioeconomic scenarios. Birch tree abundance is projected to decrease in parts of Bavaria at different rates, depending on the climate scenario, particularly in current centres of the species distribution. Climate change is expected to result in initial increases in pollen load but, due to the reduction in birch trees, the amount of airborne birch pollen will decrease at lower altitudes. Conversely, higher altitude areas will experience expansions in birch tree distribution and subsequent increases in airborne birch pollen in the future. Even considering restrictions for migration rates, increases in pollen load are likely in Southwestern areas, where positive trends have already been detected during the last three decades. Integrating models for the distribution and abundance of pollen sources and the drivers that control birch pollen production allowed us to model airborne birch pollen concentrations in the future. The magnitude of changes depends on location and climate change scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Rojo
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy and Botany, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Oteros
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Antonio Picornell
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain
| | - José M Maya-Manzano
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Athanasios Damialis
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Helmholtz Center Munich - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Zink
- Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt, Schwerpunkt Klima und Energie, Referat KliZ: Klima-Zentrum, Hof/Saale, Germany
| | - Matthias Werchan
- German Pollen Information Service Foundation (PID), Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbora Werchan
- German Pollen Information Service Foundation (PID), Berlin, Germany
| | - Matt Smith
- School of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Worcester, UK
| | - Annette Menzel
- School of Life Sciences, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - Sabine Timpf
- Institute of Geography, Geoinformatics Group, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Helmholtz Center Munich - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Karl-Christian Bergmann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten B Schmidt-Weber
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jeroen Buters
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
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11
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Omling E, Salö M, Stenström P, Merlo J, Gudjonsdottir J, Rudolfson N, Hagander L. Nationwide paediatric cohort study of a protective association between allergy and complicated appendicitis. Br J Surg 2021; 108:1491-1497. [PMID: 34689186 PMCID: PMC10364888 DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znab326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a nationwide cohort the potentially protective association between allergy and complicated appendicitis was analysed, and the influence of seasonal antigens, antihistamine treatment, and timing of allergy onset assessed. METHODS Some 1 112 571 children born between 2000 and 2010 were followed from birth until the end of 2014. A cross-sectional analysis of appendicitis cases, with comparison of allergic versus non-allergic children for absolute risk and odds of complicated appendicitis was first undertaken. This was followed by a longitudinal analysis of children with allergy and matched controls who had never had an allergy, for incidence rate and hazard of subsequent complicated or simple appendicitis. RESULTS Of all children, 20.4 per cent developed allergy and 0.6 per cent had appendicitis during follow-up. Among children with appendicitis, complicated appendicitis was more common among non-allergic children (18.9 per cent, 948 of 5016) than allergic children (12.8 per cent, 173 of 1351) (P < 0.001), and allergic children had a lower adjusted odds of complicated appendicitis (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.80, 95 per cent c.i. 0.67 to 0.96; P = 0.021). The risk of complicated appendicitis among children with manifest allergy was reduced by one-third in the longitudinal analysis (incidence rate 0.13 versus 0.20 per 1000 person-years; hazard ratio (HR) 0.68, 95 per cent c.i. 0.58 to 0.81; P < 0.001), whereas the risk of simple appendicitis remained unchanged (incidence rate 0.91 versus 0.91; HR 1.00, 0.94 to 1.07; P = 0.932). Seasonal antigen exposure was a protective factor (adjusted OR 0.82, 0.71 to 0.94; P = 0.004) and ongoing antihistamine medication a risk factor (adjusted OR 2.28, 1.21 to 4.28; P = 0.012). CONCLUSION Children with allergy have a lower risk of complicated appendicitis, but the same overall risk of simple appendicitis. Seasonal antigen exposure reduced, and antihistamine treatment increased, the risk of complicated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Omling
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Lund, Paediatrics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Lund,Sweden
| | - M Salö
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Lund, Paediatrics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Lund,Sweden
| | - P Stenström
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Lund, Paediatrics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Lund,Sweden
| | - J Merlo
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Social Epidemiology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - J Gudjonsdottir
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Lund, Paediatrics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Lund,Sweden
| | - N Rudolfson
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Lund, Paediatrics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Lund,Sweden
| | - L Hagander
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Lund, Paediatrics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Lund,Sweden
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12
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de Weger LA, Bruffaerts N, Koenders MMJF, Verstraeten WW, Delcloo AW, Hentges P, Hentges F. Long-Term Pollen Monitoring in the Benelux: Evaluation of Allergenic Pollen Levels and Temporal Variations of Pollen Seasons. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2021; 2:676176. [PMID: 35387026 PMCID: PMC8974733 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2021.676176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Airborne pollen is a major cause of allergic rhinitis, affecting between 10 and 30% of the population in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg (Benelux). Allergenic pollen is produced by wind pollinating plants and released in relatively low to massive amounts. Current climate changes, in combination with increasing urbanization, are likely to affect the presence of airborne allergenic pollen with respect to exposure intensity, timing as well as duration. Detailed analysis of long-term temporal trends at supranational scale may provide more comprehensive insight into these phenomena. To this end, the Spearman correlation was used to statistically compare the temporal trends in airborne pollen concentration monitored at the aerobiological stations which gathered the longest time-series (30–44 years) in the Benelux with a focus on the allergenic pollen taxa: Alnus, Corylus, Betula, Fraxinus, Quercus, Platanus, Poaceae, and Artemisia. Most arboreal species showed an overall trend toward an increase in the annual pollen integral and peak values and an overall trend toward an earlier start and end of the pollen season, which for Betula resulted in a significant decrease in season length. For the herbaceous species (Poaceae and Artemisia), the annual pollen integral and peak values showed a decreasing trend. The season timing of Poaceae showed a trend toward earlier starts and longer seasons in all locations. In all, these results show that temporal variations in pollen levels almost always follow a common trend in the Benelux, suggesting a similar force of climate change-driven factors, especially for Betula where a clear positive correlation was found between changes in temperature and pollen release over time. However, some trends were more local-specific indicating the influence of other environmental factors, e.g., the increasing urbanization in the surroundings of these monitoring locations. The dynamics in the observed trends can impact allergic patients by increasing the severity of symptoms, upsetting the habit of timing of the season, complicating diagnosis due to overlapping pollen seasons and the emergence of new symptoms due allergens that were weak at first.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letty A. de Weger
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, National eHealth Living Lab, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Letty A. de Weger
| | | | | | - Willem W. Verstraeten
- Dispersion and Atmospheric Composition, Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Andy W. Delcloo
- Dispersion and Atmospheric Composition, Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Hentges
- Aerobiology Data Analysis Consulting, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - François Hentges
- Unit of Immunology-Allergology, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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13
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Gehrig R, Clot B. 50 Years of Pollen Monitoring in Basel (Switzerland) Demonstrate the Influence of Climate Change on Airborne Pollen. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2021; 2:677159. [PMID: 35387022 PMCID: PMC8974697 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2021.677159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change and human impact on vegetation modify the timing and the intensity of the pollen season. The 50 years of pollen monitoring in Basel, Switzerland provide a unique opportunity to study long-term changes in pollen data. Since 1969, pollen monitoring has been carried out in Basel with a Hirst-type pollen trap. Pollen season parameters for start dates, end dates and duration were calculated with different pollen season definitions, which are commonly used in aerobiology. Intensity was analyzed by the annual pollen integral (APIn), peak value and the number of days above specific thresholds. Linear trends were calculated with the non-parametric Mann Kendall method with a Theil-Sen linear trend slope. During the last 50 years, linear increase of the monthly mean temperatures in Basel was 0.95–1.95°C in the 3 winter months, 2–3.7°C in spring months and 2.75–3.85°C in summer months. Due to this temperature increase, the start dates of the pollen season for most of the spring pollen species have advanced, from 7 days for Poaceae to 29 days for Taxus/Cupressaceae. End dates of the pollen season depend on the chosen pollen season definition. Negative trends predominate, i.e., the pollen season mostly ends earlier. Trends in the length of the pollen season depend even more on the season definitions and results are contradictory and often not significant. The intensity of the pollen season of almost all tree pollen taxa increased significantly, while the Poaceae pollen season did not change and the pollen season of herbs decreased, except for Urticaceae pollen. Climate change has a particular impact on the pollen season, but the definitions used for the pollen season parameters are crucial for the calculation of the trends. The most stable results were achieved with threshold definitions that indicate regular occurrence above certain concentrations. Percentage definitions are not recommended for trend studies when the annual pollen integral changed significantly.
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14
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Costache A, Berghi ON, Cergan R, Dumitru M, Neagos A, Popa LG, Giurcaneanu C, Vrinceanu D. Respiratory allergies: Salicaceae sensitization (Review). Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:609. [PMID: 33936266 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) is one of the most frequent chronic conditions of the modern world. Pollen carried by the wind from pollinated trees is a major source of SAR. Betulaceae, Oleaceae and Platanus are the most important sources of airway sensitization with regard to tree pollen and, therefore, they are included in the official recommendations of skin prick testing by different official societies. Salicaceae pollen is a moderate source of pollen sensitization. Conversely, large areas are covered with poplars and willows around the world. A number of studies from many countries showed that in some particular situations (large and compacted areas covered by Salicaceae, weather conditions, air pollution, urban ornamental vegetation), poplar and willow pollens may become of local importance in producing SAR. The aim of this review was to present a synthesis of information regarding Salicaceae pollen allergy showing that, if various unfavorable aspects are brought together, a minor problem (Salicaceae sensitization) can became a public health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Costache
- Department of Pathology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ovidiu Nicolae Berghi
- Department of Oncologic Dermatology, 'Elias' Emergency University Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Romica Cergan
- Department of Anatomy, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihai Dumitru
- Department of Anatomy, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adriana Neagos
- ENT Department, 'George Emil Palade' University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu-Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Liliana Gabriela Popa
- Department of Oncologic Dermatology, 'Elias' Emergency University Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Calin Giurcaneanu
- Department of Oncologic Dermatology, 'Elias' Emergency University Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Daniela Vrinceanu
- ENT Department, Bucharest Emergency University Hospital, 010271 Bucharest, Romania
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15
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Clustering approach for the analysis of the fluorescent bioaerosol collected by an automatic detector. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247284. [PMID: 33705418 PMCID: PMC7951810 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Automatically operating particle detection devices generate valuable data, but their use in routine aerobiology needs to be harmonized. The growing network of researchers using automatic pollen detectors has the challenge to develop new data processing systems, best suited for identification of pollen or spore from bioaerosol data obtained near-real-time. It is challenging to recognise all the particles in the atmospheric bioaerosol due to their diversity. In this study, we aimed to find the natural groupings of pollen data by using cluster analysis, with the intent to use these groupings for further interpretation of real-time bioaerosol measurements. The scattering and fluorescence data belonging to 29 types of pollen and spores were first acquired in the laboratory using Rapid-E automatic particle detector. Neural networks were used for primary data processing, and the resulting feature vectors were clustered for scattering and fluorescence modality. Scattering clusters results showed that pollen of the same plant taxa associates with the different clusters corresponding to particle shape and size properties. According to fluorescence clusters, pollen grouping highlighted the possibility to differentiate Dactylis and Secale genera in the Poaceae family. Fluorescent clusters played a more important role than scattering for separating unidentified fluorescent particles from tested pollen. The proposed clustering method aids in reducing the number of false-positive errors.
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16
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Adar A, Shalitin S, Eyal O, Loewenthal N, Pinhas-Hamiel O, Zuckerman Levin N, Dally-Gottfried O, Landau Z, Zung A, Levy-Khademi F, Zangen D, Tenenbaum-Rakover Y, Rachmiel M. Birth during the moderate weather seasons is associated with early onset of type 1 diabetes in the Mediterranean area. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2020; 36:e3318. [PMID: 32270907 DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.3318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
AIM To assess the association of seasonal and perinatal parameters with early age of type 1 diabetes (T1D) onset. METHODS A cross-sectional review of all medical records of T1D patients born between the years 1990 and 2005, and diagnosed before/by the age of 10 years, from 13 university-affiliated paediatric medical centres in Israel, was performed. Data included: gender, ethnicity, seasons of birth and disease onset, birth gestational age and weight, and autoimmune diseases of the probands and their first-degree family members. Statistical analysis included the Chi-square test or Mann-Whitney test, as appropriate and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS Enrolled were 1571 T1D patients at a median age of T1D onset 6.9 years (IQR 4.4,8.4); 336 of them presented before 4 years of age. The median age of this group was 2.5 years (IQR 1.7,3.2), and of the 1235 patients who presented after 4 years of age, median presentation age was 7.5 years (IQR 6.1,8.8). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that a more recent birth year; OR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.02-1.1, P = 0.003, and birth during the moderate weather months (September, October, March, and April) were significantly associated with younger age at T1D onset; OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.17-2.4, P = 0.005. CONCLUSIONS Our novel finding demonstrates the association between younger than 4 years old age at presentation and birth during moderate weather months. The results also support previous reports, that there is a slight increase in the annual incidence of T1D in the youngest age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adi Adar
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Division of Pediatrics, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel
| | - Shlomit Shalitin
- The Jesse Z. and Sara Lea Shafer Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, National Center of Childhood Diabetes, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ori Eyal
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Neta Loewenthal
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolic Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Orit Pinhas-Hamiel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel
- The Juvenile Diabetes Center, Maccabi Health Care Services, Ra'anana, Israel
| | - Nehama Zuckerman Levin
- Pediatric Diabetes Clinic, Institute of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rambam Health Care Campus, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Orna Dally-Gottfried
- The Center for Juvenile Diabetes and Pediatric Endocrinology and Pediatric Outpatient Clinics, Rebecca Ziv Hospital, Safed, affiliated to the School of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Zohar Landau
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, E. Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Amnon Zung
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel
- The School of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Floris Levy-Khademi
- The School of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - David Zangen
- The School of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yardena Tenenbaum-Rakover
- Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Ha'Emek Medical Center and the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Marianna Rachmiel
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Division of Pediatrics, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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17
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Eguiluz‐Gracia I, Mathioudakis AG, Bartel S, Vijverberg SJH, Fuertes E, Comberiati P, Cai YS, Tomazic PV, Diamant Z, Vestbo J, Galan C, Hoffmann B. The need for clean air: The way air pollution and climate change affect allergic rhinitis and asthma. Allergy 2020; 75:2170-2184. [PMID: 31916265 DOI: 10.1111/all.14177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution and climate change have a significant impact on human health and well-being and contribute to the onset and aggravation of allergic rhinitis and asthma among other chronic respiratory diseases. In Westernized countries, households have experienced a process of increasing insulation and individuals tend to spend most of their time indoors. These sequelae implicate a high exposure to indoor allergens (house dust mites, pets, molds, etc), tobacco smoke, and other pollutants, which have an impact on respiratory health. Outdoor air pollution derived from traffic and other human activities not only has a direct negative effect on human health but also enhances the allergenicity of some plants and contributes to global warming. Climate change modifies the availability and distribution of plant- and fungal-derived allergens and increases the frequency of extreme climate events. This review summarizes the effects of indoor air pollution, outdoor air pollution, and subsequent climate change on asthma and allergic rhinitis in children and adults and addresses the policy adjustments and lifestyle changes required to mitigate their deleterious effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibon Eguiluz‐Gracia
- Allergy Unit IBIMA‐Hospital Regional Universitario de Malaga‐UMA Malaga Spain
| | - Alexander G. Mathioudakis
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine School of Biological Sciences The University of Manchester Manchester Academic Health Science Centre UK
- North West Lung Centre Wythenshawe Hospital Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Southmoor Road Manchester UK
| | - Sabine Bartel
- Early Life Origins of Chronic Lung Disease, Research Center Borstel Leibniz Lung Center Member of the German Research Center for Lung Research (DZL) Borstel Germany
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology University Medical Center Groningen GRIAC Research Institute University of Groningen Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Susanne J. H. Vijverberg
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Elaine Fuertes
- National Heart and Lung Institute Imperial College London London UK
| | - Pasquale Comberiati
- Section of Paediatrics Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine University of Pisa Pisa Italy
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology Sechenov University Moscow Russia
| | - Yutong Samuel Cai
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics MRC Centre for Environment and Health School of Public Health Imperial College London London UK
- The George Institute for Global Health University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Peter Valentin Tomazic
- Department of General ORL, Head and Neck Surgery Medical University of Graz Graz Austria
| | - Zuzana Diamant
- Department of Respiratory Medicine & Allergology Institute for Clinical Science Skane University Hospital Lund University Lund Sweden
- Department of Respiratory Medicine First Faculty of Medicine Charles University and Thomayer Hospital Prague Czech Republic
| | - Jørgen Vestbo
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine School of Biological Sciences The University of Manchester Manchester Academic Health Science Centre UK
- North West Lung Centre Wythenshawe Hospital Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Southmoor Road Manchester UK
| | - Carmen Galan
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology International Campus of Excellence on Agrifood (ceiA3) University of Córdoba Córdoba Spain
| | - Barbara Hoffmann
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Medical Faculty University of Düsseldorf Düsseldorf Germany
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18
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Biedermann T, Winther L, Till SJ, Panzner P, Knulst A, Valovirta E. Birch pollen allergy in Europe. Allergy 2019; 74:1237-1248. [PMID: 30829410 DOI: 10.1111/all.13758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Birch and other related trees of the families Betulaceae and Fagaceae (alder, hazel, oak, hornbeam, chestnut, and beech) constitute the birch homologous group. This grouping is primarily based on the extensive IgE cross-reactivity of allergen homologs to the major birch allergen Bet v 1. Birch pollen is the most dominant tree pollen in Northern and Central Europe and is a major cause of allergic rhinitis and, possibly, asthma symptoms. Over the last few decades, levels of birch pollen have risen and the period of exposure has increased due to climate changes. Subsequently, the prevalence of birch pollen sensitization has also increased. The cross-reactivity and sequential pollen seasons within the birch homologous group create a prolonged symptomatic allergy period beyond birch pollen alone. Furthermore, many plant food allergens contain homologs to Bet v 1, meaning that the majority of patients with birch pollen allergy suffer from secondary pollen food syndrome (PFS). As a result, the negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients allergic to birch pollen is significant. The purpose of this manuscript was to narratively review topics of interest such as taxonomy, cross-reactivity, prevalence, clinical relevance, PFS, and HRQoL with regard to birch pollen allergy from a European perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Biedermann
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
| | - L. Winther
- Allergy Clinic Department of Dermato‐Allergology Gentofte Hospital Copenhagen Denmark
| | - S. J. Till
- Kings College London Guy's Hospital London UK
| | - P. Panzner
- Department of Immunology and Allergology Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen Charles University Prague Czech Republic
| | - A. Knulst
- Department of Dermatology/Allergology University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht University Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - E. Valovirta
- Department of Lung Diseases and Clinical Allergology University of Turku and Allergy Clinic Terveystalo, Turku Finland
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Sapkota A, Murtugudde R, Curriero FC, Upperman CR, Ziska L, Jiang C. Associations between alteration in plant phenology and hay fever prevalence among US adults: Implication for changing climate. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212010. [PMID: 30921361 PMCID: PMC6438449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant phenology (e.g. timing of spring green-up, flowering) is among the most sensitive indicator of ecological response to ongoing climate variability and change. While previous studies have documented changes in the timing of spring green-up and flowering across different parts of the world, empirical evidence regarding how such ongoing ecological changes impact allergic disease burden at population level is lacking. Because earlier spring green-up may increase season length for tree pollen, we hypothesized that early onset of spring (negative anomaly in start of season (SOS)) will be associated with increased hay fever burden. To test this, we first calculated a median cardinal date for SOS for each county within the contiguous US for the years 2001-2013 using phenology data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). We categorized yearly deviations in SOS for each county from their respective long-term averages as: very early (>3 wks early), early (1-3 wks early), average (within 1 wk), late (1-3 wks late) and very late (> 3 wks late). We linked these data to 2002-2013 National Health Interview Survey data, and investigated the association between changes in SOS and hay fever prevalence using logistic regression. We observed that adults living in counties with a very early onset of SOS had a 14% higher odds of hay fever compared to the reference group, i.e. those living in counties where onset of spring was within the normal range (Odds Ratios (OR): 1.14. 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.03-1.27). Likewise, adults living in counties with very late onset of SOS had a 18% higher odds hay fever compared to the reference group (OR: 1.18, CI: 1.05-1.32). Our data provides the first-ever national scale assessment of the impact of changing plant phenology-linked to ongoing climate variability and change-on hay fever prevalence. Our findings are likely tied to changes in pollen dynamics, i.e early onset of spring increases the duration of exposure to tree pollen, while very late onset of spring increases the propensity of exposure because of simultaneous blooming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Sapkota
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
| | - Raghu Murtugudde
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
| | - Frank C. Curriero
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Crystal R. Upperman
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
| | - Lewis Ziska
- Crop Systems and Global Change Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, United States of America
| | - Chengsheng Jiang
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
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