Abstract
We measured tree pollen allergen specific IgE antibody (RAST method) in the serum of 137 patients with nasal allergy.
1. Eight patients (5.84%) had a positive reaction to Acear negundo, seven (5.11%) to Alnus incana, six (4.38%) to Fagus grandifolia, six (4.38%) to Quercus alba, nine (6.57%) to Platanus acerifolia and 15 (10.95%) to Cryptomeria japonica (the Japanese cedar).
2. These percentages are lower than the positive reactions to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D1) (62.77%), . house dust (H1) (55.47%) and Dactylis glomerata (11.68%), but comparable to those to Ambrosia elatior (11.68%) and Alternaria tenuis (5.84%).
3. Three patients were sensitive to six different allergens, two to five and two to three.
4. The correlation between RAST and intracutaneous reactions was investigated in patients allergic to Japanese cedar pollen. There was a good correlation, althouth the intracutaneous reaction yielded a higher percentage of positive reactions.
5. Seasonal differences were demonstrated in patients allergic to Acer negundo, Quercus alba, and Platanus aceriforia.
6. Patients with a long history of allergy were more apt to have positive RAST tests.
7. Among the patients sensitive to Japanese cedar pollen, those with positive RAST tests had higher serum IgE values.
