Vine pollen allergy in areas with a high density of vineyards.
BACKGROUND
In Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, the area with the highest density of vineyards in the world, 2 cases of Vitis vinifera pollen allergy have been previously reported.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical relevance and biochemical characteristics of vine pollen in the Spanish province of Ciudad Real.


METHODS
We designed a prospective study of patients treated in the allergy units from Puertollano and Ciudad Real for respiratory symptoms of 4 months' duration in the year 2000. Skin prick tests with a standard aeroallergen battery and V vinifera pollen extract were performed on all patients. We also performed conjunctival and bronchial provocation tests and serum specific IgE and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis immunoblotting on the patients who tested positive for V vinifera pollen.


RESULTS
We included 200 patients, 98 sensitized to any pollen and 9 to V vinifera pollen. We found 8 of 9 positive conjunctival provocation test results and a positive bronchial provocation result to vine pollen in a vine grower. Serum specific IgE against V vinifera pollen was detected in 9 of 9 patients. Immunoblotting with V vinifera pollen extract showed IgE-binding bands at 45 and 67 kDa.


CONCLUSIONS
Vine pollen could be the cause of pollinosis in exposed patients living in areas with a high density of vineyards.
Brito
Francisco Feo
FF
Allergy Section, General Hospital, Ciudad Real, Spain. feobrito@hotmail.com
Gimeno
Pilar Mur
PM
Bartolomé
Borja
B
Alonso
Ana Ma
AM
Lara
Pilar
P
Fernández
Juan Angel
JA
Martínez
Alberto
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000276:immunology; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011058:Pollen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012882:Skin Tests; D013030:Spain; D027843:Vitis / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E