Oral allergy syndrome associated with Alnus sieboldiana Matumura pollinosis

Epidemiologic study and evidence for sensitization to pollen allergens

Abstract

In patients with birch pollinosis, oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is often complicated because of cross-reactivity. Alnus sieboldiana Matumura (Alnus s.) is a member of the alder family, which is often planted on denuded sites as a convenient countermeasure against landslide or afforestation. The previous epidemiologic study in Ashiya showed an evident relation between the number of airborne pollen grains of alder and the prevalence of alder pollinosis. In 902 residents, the prevalence of OAS was 6.3% in the mountainous area and 1.6% in the flatland area. In 143 schoolchildren, only 2 of 11 OAS children were associated with alder pollinosis. In 3, 997 residents, the prevalence of OAS was 4.0% in a new residental area in Takarazuka city. The quantity of the dispersed number of alder pollen increased the prevalence of both pollinosis and OAS. Lumbering of alder tree improved not only pollinosis but also OAS.
Cross-reactivity between apples and Alnus s. pollen was shown by immunoblot inhibition and the tissue prints using patient's serum and monoclonal antibody against major allergen of Alnus s. pollen. Profilin is thought to be a minor allergen, whereas OAS patients with systemic reaction showed marked reactions in both lymphocyte proliferative response and histamine release, and 4.5 U/ml IgE antiody to alder profilin by use of ELISA.