title: [Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis in Hakodate].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated seasonal allergic conjunctivitis in Hakodate.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical records of 293 patients with allergy-like symptoms who were seen at the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology of Hakodate Municipal Hospital in 2001 and 2002 were examined for pollinosis, and evaluated. The general severity of conjunctivitis was graded as (+), (++), and (+++). The allergen was identified by AlaSTAT and nasal provocation test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In March, June, and September 2001, and in March, April, and June 2002, many patients were examined. In 2001, 134 patients (87.0%) had allergic conjunctivitis, and 126 patients (90.6%) had it in 2002. The severity of allergic conjunctivitis in May, June, and September was significantly (p<0.05) more severe than in February, March, and April. The major antigen rates for Cryptomeria japonica, Gramineae, Artemisia, and Betula platyphyia var. japonica were 22, 21, 8, and 3%. The specific IgE positive rates for Cryptomeria japonica, Betula platyphyia var. japonica, Gramineae and Artemisia were higher in March and April, in May, in June, and in September.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The allergens of conjunctivitis in Hakodate were not the same as in the Kansai. We should consider the dispersion of pollens area by area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hakodate Municipal Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshimasa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takano
authors.forename: Shin-ichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Narita
authors.forename: Kazutoyo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Jyun-ichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurose
authors.forename: Shinshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D012621:Seasons; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E