Antigen recognition in Chinese and Caucasians.
Five hundred ninety-two allergic subjects from two different groups (Caucasian and Chinese) were skin tested to detect sensitivity to grass and tree pollens. Chinese reacted five times more often to trees than Caucasians. Chinese were 2.3 times more likely to be sensitive to grass pollens than were Caucasians (P less than .01). In both groups, subjects sensitive to grass pollens were more likely to be sensitive to tree pollens (P less than .001 for both populations). Grass sensitive Chinese were 21.7 times more likely to react to trees than those not grass sensitive. Grass sensitive Chinese were 10.8 times more likely to be sensitive to trees than Caucasians. Several hypotheses are presented to explain these results. This if the first report of a racial difference in antigen recognition. Physicians who test and treat Chinese patients with allergies may wish to more carefully evaluate the possible role of cedar, cypress, and juniper in their patients' allergic condition.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D006109:Poaceae; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests; D014197:Trees; D044465:White People
D000941:Antigens