title: Direct determination of allergens in ambient aerosols: methodological aspects.
abstract: In Switzerland the birch tree (Betula verrucosa) major allergen Bet v 1 and the grass (Phleum pratense) pollen major allergen Phl p 5 are of particular relevance for inducing pollinosis. In this study, the protein and major allergen contents of aerosols of different aerodynamic diameters were determined. The aerosols were sampled by Andersen-Impactors and submitted to protein assays and allergen assays (ELISA) specific for Bet v 1 and Phl p 5. The total protein, Bet v 1 and Phl p 5 concentrations were correlated with the corresponding pollen counts. The presence of Bet v 1 in smaller aerosol fractions was demonstrated before and after birch pollen was counted, especially in the lower particle size ranges.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene and Applied Physiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Schäppi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Monn
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wüthrich
authors.forename: H U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Wanner
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D002452:Cell Count / Q000379:methods; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010316:Particle Size; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011058:Pollen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; C076049:Phl p V protein, Phleum pratense; D010940:Plant Proteins; C061312:Bet v 1 allergen, Betula