Bahia grass pollen, a significant aeroallergen: evidence for the lack of clinical cross-reactivity with timothy grass pollen.
Thirty-eight subjects were challenged (25 nasal, 13 bronchial) with Bahia grass, Paspalum notatum, pollen extract. A positive Bahia intradermal skin test predicted a positive challenge to Bahia in all (11/11) of the nasal challenges and 75% (6/8) of the bronchial challenges. All 19 subjects with negative Bahia intradermal skin tests had negative challenges with Bahia. Specific IgE antibodies to Bahia pollen were detected by conventional RAST (greater than or equal to 2+) in 82% (14/17) of subjects with positive challenges and in 5% (1/20) of subjects with negative challenges. Eight subjects had positive intradermal skin tests to either Bahia (three) or timothy, Phleum pratense (five). Seven of the eight subjects reacted exclusively to either Bahia or timothy nasal challenge as predicted by their skin tests. Bahia grass is a significant aeroallergen, which in some subjects can be demonstrated not to cross-react with timothy.
Phillips
J W
JW
Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa.
Bucholtz
G A
GA
Fernandez-Caldas
E
E
Bukantz
S C
SC
Lockey
R F
RF
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012882:Skin Tests
D000485:Allergens