title: Allergic response to birch and alder pollen allergens influenced by geographical location of allergic subjects.
abstract: A detailed analysis was made of the reactivity patterns of birch pollen-allergic subjects from Norway and Australia to the various IgE-binding components of pollens from several different birch and alder species. Typically, with each of the pollens examined, the Norwegian subjects exhibited a specific limited response pattern in which only a few of the 18 possible allergenic bands were recognized. A single, major IgE-binding band of approximate molecular weight 16-17 kD was recognized in each pollen by all the Norwegian patients used in the study. In contrast to this situation, there was no 'typical' recognition pattern amongst the Australian patients. Although recognition of the 16- to 17-kD components occurred in some cases, it was not dramatically superior to any other single component. Recognition of higher molecular weight components occurred more frequently than with the Norwegian group. Reasons for the differences in the response patterns of the Australian and Norwegian groups are discussed with reference to the exposure of the populations to different allergenic sources and genetic variation.
authors.affiliation: Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Hemmens
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Baldo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elsayed
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bass
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001315:Australia; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009664:Norway; D011058:Pollen / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology; D014197:Trees / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E