title: [Evolution of eosinophilia during the pollen season among the general population: a way of determining new sensitiziations].
abstract: The purpose of this paper was to verify the effect of pollen peaks on blood eosinophilia in an all and sundry population, including allergic as well as non-allergic subjects, so that we can open up new horizons in the understanding and prevention of pollinosis. Daily eosinophilia counts of hospital patients were measured at the time of a blood checkup (1996-1998), and divided into six classes. Those data were compared to daily pollen counts of twelve taxa, coming from the Hirst trap of Dijon (France). An eosinophilia increase occurred when hazel, hornebeam, birch, oak, grasses, ragweed and plantain were present in high concentration. In other cases, only simultaneous presence of several taxa seemed to play a part, because of cross-reactivity or polysensitization. Lastly, Cupressaceae-Taxaceae and ragweed were seen as increasing eosinophilia in seemingly non allergic people. The analysis of eosinophilia in the general population was able to reveal potential allergic patients and potential allergic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Epidémiologie de Populations-Climat & Santé-Faculté de Médecine-BP 87900-21079 Dijon, France.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laaidi
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Besancenot
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Carli
mesh_terms: D003429:Cross Reactions; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004804:Eosinophils; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D007114:Immunization; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D010944:Plants / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons; D012882:Skin Tests; D013045:Species Specificity; D014197:Trees / Q000276:immunology