Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)-pollen allergy in central Europe: specific role of pollen panallergens and the major allergen of ash pollen, Fra e 1.
BACKGROUND
The role of ash (Fraxinus excelsior) pollen as a cause of spring pollinosis in central Europe has received little attention. It is not clear whether ash pollen is a primary cause of sensitization or whether it is implicated through cross-sensitization to other pollens.


METHODS
Over a 22-month period, ash pollen was included in a screening series for inhalant allergies. Pollen data were documented from 1976 through 1999. The frequency of IgE-binding to the ash-specific allergen Fra e 1 and pollen panallergens, respectively, was compared by Western blot between mono- (n = 6), oligo- (n = 16), and polysensitized (n=25) patients.


RESULTS
Of 5,416 consecutive patients sensitized to any pollen, 920 (17.6%) had a positive skin prick test to ash. Total pollen counts varied extensively between years (229-5,351) as did peak concentrations (23-837 grains/m3/24 h). Western blotting revealed Fra e 1 sensitization in 100% of monosensitized, 93% of oligosensitized, but only 44% of polysensitized patients. IgE against profilins (Fra e 2), Ca-binding proteins (Fra e 3), and carbohydrate epitopes in the three groups was found in 0/0/17%, 0/19/31%, and 32/72/60%, respectively. At least 50% of sera from patients with Fra e 1 sensitization did not bind with the protein in Western blots under reducing conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Ash pollen should be considered a relevant factor and distinct entity in spring pollinosis. In all, only 20% of positive skin tests to ash appear to result from cross-sensitization to pollen panallergens.
Hemmer
W
W
Dermatologic and Pediatric Allergy Clinic, Vienna, Austria.
Focke
M
M
Wantke
F
F
Götz
M
M
Jarisch
R
R
Jäger
S
S
Götz
M
M
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001317:Austria; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000276:immunology; D003285:Contractile Proteins; D000939:Epitopes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000276:immunology; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D051304:Profilins; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D014197:Trees / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D002241:Carbohydrates; D003285:Contractile Proteins; D000939:Epitopes; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D051304:Profilins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E