1996 Volume 45 Issue 4 Pages 378-385
The author has investigated the incidence of Japanese cedar pollinosis among university students, for the purpose of making a study of the relation between sensitizing to pollen antigen and manifestation of symptoms. In this report are summerized the results of seven years investigation since 1988. The percentage of specific antibody carriers in freshmen was 27.4% in 1988, and has kept the level of 32.0-38.1% from 1989 to 1993. And the incidence of pollinosis sufferers in freshmen was 12.0% in 1988, and has kept the level of 15.5-17.4% from 1989 to 1993. However in 1994 they reduced to lower levels of 29.3% and 14.7%, and this was considered to be connected with the decrease of pollen counts owing to the abnormal weather conditions of preceding year. In addition to this the author has also investigated the transition of the percentage of specific antibody carriers and the incidence of pollinosis sufferers while in college. Among the students who were matriculated before the year of 1990, the incidence of these kinds when fourth grade increased clearly (antibody carriers 38.6-43.0%, pollinosis sufferers 23.1-24.9%). However in whom matriculated in 1991, they reduced to lower levels ill 1994 related to the decrease of pollen counts (antibody carriers 25.2%, pollinosis sufferers 13.6%). From above-mentioned results of investigation, it is concluded that the revelation of pollinosis symptoms has connection directly with the degree of exposure to the pollen antigen.
