Major grass pollen allergens and components detected in a southern Chinese cohort of patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma.
There is so far a paucity of data about allergen component-resolved diagnosis, and the prevalence of grass pollen allergen components in China, in contrast to those from western countries. Even in this country, allergies to grass pollen allergen components in the vast south are inadequately described. This study aimed to determine the major sensitizing grass pollens in Guangzhou, the largest city in Guangdong province of southern China. Included in this study were 258 patients having allergic rhinitis with or without asthma and 88 healthy controls. ImmunoCap100 was used to examine the serum samples for sIgE to Bermuda, Timothy, and Humulus scandens. Subjects who tested positive were further examined for sIgE to Bermuda antigen Cyn d 1, Timothy antigens Phl p 1/4/5/6/7/11/12, and CCD. The relationship of grass pollen allergy to specific antigen sensitization was assessed. As a result, 22.5% of patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma were positive for Bermuda-sIgE, 13.6% for Timothy-sIgE, and 7.0% for Humulus scandens-sIgE. These patients were more likely to be sensitized compared with controls (P<0.001). Of the Bermuda-sIgE positive patients, 53.4% were Cyn d 1 positive and 60.3% were Timothy-sIgE positive. Of the Timothy positive patients, 100% were positive for Phl p 4, 17.1% were positive for Phl p 1 and 8.6% tested positive for Phl p 5/6/7/11/12. Patients with high Bermuda-sIgE levels were more likely to be positive for other grasses. In 41.4% of Bermuda grass positive patients, CCD-sIgE was also positive. Sensitization to Phl p 4 was significantly correlated with CCD (rs=0.928).In summary, we found that these southern Chinese patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma tested positive for Bermuda, Timothy, and Humulus scandens IgE. A high Bermuda-sIgE level may predict sensitization to other grasses. Correlations between sensitization to CCD and grass pollen allergens suggested a likelihood of cross-reactivity. Further in vitro inhibition assays are required to confirm this relationship.
State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China.
Wenting
W
Luo
State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China.
Huimin
H
Huang
State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China.
Peiyan
P
Zheng
State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China.
Nili
N
Wei
State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China.
Jiaying
J
Luo
State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China. Electronic address: sunbaoqing@vip.163.com.
Baoqing
B
Sun
State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China. Electronic address: zgqiao@vip.163.com.
Guangqiao
G
Zeng
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D044466:Asian People; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
D000485:Allergens; C100980:Phl p 4 protein, Phleum pratense; D010940:Plant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
Allergic rhinitis; Allergy; Asthma; Grass pollen; Respiratory disease