Pollinosis in Japan—pollinosis is a systemic disease

Abstract

The typical cedar pollinosis in Japan was first reported in 1964. In the 1980s, measures were taken to address the problem as a national issue. The treatment guidelines were developed for otolaryngologists and other medical specialists in 1993, and they have been revised and updated. More treatment types have arisen, indicating an increase in the prevalence and severity of hay fever. The effectiveness of sublingual cedar pollen immunotherapy is assured, and the range of indications has been expanded. Antigen pollen survey results mainly mention the cypress family, tree pollens such as birch and beech, herbaceous spring grass pollen, and autumn Asteraceae. Long-term survey results show that pollen fronts in the genus cedar are moving northwards. The number of Cupressaceae pollen collections is increasing nationwide with repeated annual fluctuations, correlating with higher temperatures due to climate change. The number of Fagaceae pollen collections is also increasing.

Hay fever has multiple target organs and has been considered a systemic disease since its discovery. Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) have been attracting attention since around 2000. A high co-morbidity of birch pollinosis and food allergy to rosacea fruits has been reported in Hokkaido. In our department, located in Kyushu, a small number of cases diagnosed with PFAS were sensitized to Cupressaceae, Quercus spp., and Poaceae and induced by foods from Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, and Rosaceae families, showing regional differences.