title: IgE reactivity patterns in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis to ragweed and mugwort pollens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Differential diagnosis between ragweed and mugwort pollen allergy represents a large clinical problem in areas where both plants are present. The aim of this study was to investigate ragweed- and mugwort-sensitized patients to identify specific IgE reactivity  profiles. Results were correlated to clinical findings such as medical history and health-related quality of life (HRQL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-four patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis between July and October were examined and underwent in vivo tests (skin-prick  test [SPT] and nasal provocation). Sera were evaluated for IgE reactivity to mugwort and ragweed pollen extracts, major (Art v 1; Amb a 1) and minor (profilin and calcium-binding protein) allergens. HRQL was evaluated using a standardized questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-one  patients revealed positive SPT reactivity against mugwort and 60 patients against ragweed extracts. Of these patients, 74 revealed IgE antibodies against mugwort extracts, whereas anti-Art v 1 antibodies were detectable in 50 individuals. Fifty-five patients showed IgE antibodies against  natural ragweed extracts; anti-Amb v 1 antibodies were detected in six cases only. Using standardized clinical history and HRQL questionnaires we were not able to detect any differences within different reactivity patterns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the investigated population  of 74 weed-allergic patients the prevalence of true mugwort and ragweed sensitization can be calculated as 68 and 8%. High prevalence of ragweed sensitization when testing with full extracts can be explained by cross-reactivity between other weeds, e.g., mugwort rather than cosensitization.  Differences in medical history and HRQL between different reactivity patterns were not detectable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Goettingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, Goettingen, Germany. martin.canis@med.uni-goettingen.de
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canis
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gröger
authors.forename: Matthias F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Kramer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D031164:Ambrosia / Q000276:immunology; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D019306:Artemisia / Q000276:immunology; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects; D051304:Profilins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; C102724:Art v 1 protein, mugwort; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010940:Plant Proteins; D051304:Profilins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E