Rate of Specific IgE Antibody in Pollinosis in Cases of the South Districts of Tokushima Prefecture

Abstract

In the southern part of the Tokushima Prefecture, the RAST positive rate for eight pollen antigens was measured in 309 patients with allergic rhinitis between January 1996 and March 1997. The RAST positive rate for cedar pollens and cypress pollens was 72.2 and 59.2%, respectively. The RAST positive rate for two other pollens, orchard-grass pollen and mugwort pollen, was less than 30%, and that for the remaining four pollens, from short ragweed, oak, Japanese white birch and Japanese alder, was less than 20%. Therefore, most patients with pollinosis in Tokushima were allergic to cedar and cypress pollen. Furthermore, the RAST positive rate for dust mites among the 309 patients was 43%. Regarding the age distribution of these patients was concerned, occurence peaked, among teens. The RAST score for cedar pollens was the highest at 4, and that of all the other antigens was less than 2.
Of 223 patients who were allergic to cypress pollens, five patients were only allergic to cypress pollens, but the remaining patients were also allergic to cedar pollens.