Molecular diagnosis and immunotherapy selection in a Portuguese population sensitized to grass and olive pollens / Diagnóstico molecular e seleção de imunoterapia numa população portuguesa sensibilizada ao pólen de gramíneas e de oliveira

Introduction: Phleum pratense (Phl p) and Olea europaea (Ole e) are common allergenic pollen. Objectives: To describe the sensitization patterns to Phl p and Ole e allergens in a subset of allergic rhinitis patients with positive skin prick tests (SPTs) to these pollens and compare the allergen immunotherapy (AIT) choice before and after determination of molecular components. Methods: Candidates to pollen immunotherapy with positive SPTs to both Phl p and Ole e were recruited. All of them underwent an SPT with a panel of aeroallergens and measurements of serum specific IgE (sIgE) to Phl p, Ole e, Phl p1, Phl p5, Phl p7, Phl p12, Ole e1, Ole e7, and Bet v2. Results: Forty adults were included. Of these, 83% and 65% were sIgE-positive to Phl p and Ole e, using the 0.35 kUA/L and 0.70 kUA/L cut-offs, respectively. Moreover, 42.5% of patients had positive sIgE to Phl p1 and/or Phl p5, 2.5% only to Ole e1, and 47.5% to both (0.35 kUA/L cutoff). By increasing the cut-off to 0.7 kUA/L, 55% of patients were sensitized to Phl p1 and/or Phl p5, and no patient was sensitized only to Ole e1. After component-resolved diagnosis, AIT choice was changed in 15 (37.5%) patients, with a decrease in the number of prescriptions of AIT with both grass and olive pollens and with olive alone, together with an increase in the prescriptions of AIT with grass pollen alone. Conclusion: Genuine sensitization to Olea europaea was reduced, and the sensitization patterns were heterogeneous. Knowledge of pattern of sensitization to molecular components changed immunotherapy prescription in more than one third of the patients.

Introdução: Os polens de Phleum pratense (Phl p) e de Olea europaea (Ole e) são fontes alergênicas comuns. Objetivos: Descrever os padrões de sensibilização aos alergênios destes dois polens num subconjunto de pacientes com rinite alérgica polínica e comparar a escolha de imunoterapia, antes e depois da determinação de alergênios moleculares para Phl p e Ole e. Métodos: Foram recrutados candidatos para imunoterapia com polens, com testes cutâneos positivos para Phl p e Ole e. Todos realizaram um painel de testes em picada a aeroalergênios e determinação de IgE séricas específicas para Phl p, Ole e, rPhl p1, rPhl p5, rPhl p7, rPhl p 12, rOle e 1, nOle e 7, rBet v2. Resultados: Foram incluídos 40 adultos. Em relação à sIgE para Phl p e Ole e, 83% e 65% dos pacientes apresentaram positividade para ambos, usando o cut-off de 0,35 kUA/L e 0,70 kUA/L, respectivamente. A positividade para Phl p1 e/ou Phl p 5 foi encontrada em 42,5%, para Ole e 1 apenas em 2,5%, enquanto 47,5% apresentaram sIgE positivo para ambos (cut-off corte de 0,35 kUA/L). Aumentando o cut-off para 0,7 kUA/L, 55% foram sensibilizados para Phl p1 e/ou Phl p5, nenhum paciente foi sensibilizado apenas para Ole e 1. Após a determinação dos alergênios para os componentes moleculares, a escolha de imunoterapia foi alterada em 15 (37,5%) pacientes, com uma diminuição no número de vacinas para Phleum + Olea e apenas para Olea e um aumento na prescrição de vacinas para Phleum. Conclusão: A sensibilização genuína do Olea europaea foi reduzida e os padrões de sensibilização foram heterogêneos. O conhecimento da sensibilização aos componentes moleculares dos alergênios mudou a prescrição de imunoterapia em mais de um terço dos pacientes.

Aerobiología de polen del olivo en las ciudades de Tacna y Arica y su relación con las enfermedades alérgicas respiratorias / Olive pollen aerobiology in Tacna and Arica cities and it is relation with the allergic respiratory diseases

Medir la concentración del polen en la atmósfera se ha convertido en objeto de interés a nivel mundial debido al aumento de las enfermedades alérgicas, ya que en muchas personas es causa de polinosis. Objetivos: se centró en la elaboración de un calendario de polen del olivo, basado en medir su concentración en las ciudades de Tacna (desde 2015 al 2018) y Arica (periodo 2018), y determinar la prevalencia de resultados positivos para extracto alergénico de polen del olivo en pacientes con síntomas de rinitis y/o asma provenientes de las ciudades de Tacna y Arica (periodo 2015-2018). Métodos: Se midió la concentración de polen, mediante el método volumétrico tipo Hirst, según estándares establecidos por el comité de aerobiología de la Sociedad Española de Alergología e Inmunología Clínica (SEAIC). Se incluyó una muestra total de 350 sujetos con síntomas respiratorios (200 de Tacna y 150 de Arica). Resultados: En Tacna, en 2015, 2016, 2017 y 2018, la concentración máxima de polen de olivo fue de 246 granos/m3 ; 110 granos/m3 ; 78 granos/ m3 y 688 granos/m3 respectivamente. En Arica en 2018, la concentración máxima de polen del olivo fue de 318 granos/ m3 . Se encontró que un 34% (68/200) y un 28% (42/150) de sujetos con síntomas respiratorios estaban sensibilizados u obtuvieron pruebas positivas al extracto de polen del olivo en sujetos de las ciudades de Tacna y Arica respectivamente. Conclusión: En ambas ciudades las concentraciones máximas de polen del olivo se encontraron principalmente entre los meses de septiembre a noviembre, siendo octubre el mes de mayores conteos. Se identificó sujetos alérgicos por test cutáneo al polen del olivo en las ciudades de Tacna y Arica.

The measurement of the concentration of pollen in the atmosphere has become an object of interest worldwide for the increase of allergy diseases, since in many people it is the cause of pollinosis. Objectives: focused on the elaboration of a calendar of olive tree pollen based on the measurement of the pollen concentration in Tacna (since 2015 to 2018) and Arica (period 2018) cities, and to determine the prevalence of positive results for allergenic extract of olive pollen in patients with symptoms of rhinitis and / or asthma, who came from Tacna and Arica cities (period 2015 to 2018). Methods. The pollen concentration was measured using the volumetric method according to standards established by the Aerobiology Committee of the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC), we included 350 subjects (200 from Tacna and 150 from Arica). Results: In Tacna, in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, the maximum concentration of olive pollen was 246 grains/m3; 110 grains/m3; 78 grains/m3 and 688 grains/m3 respectively. In Arica in 2018, the maximum concentration of olive pollen was 318 grains/m3. We found 34% (68/200) and 28% (42/150) were sensitized or results positive test to the olive pollen extract in subjects with respiratory symptoms from Tacna and Arica cities respectively. Conclusion: The olive pollen in the atmosphere of Tacna and Arica is mainly concentrated in the months of September to November, being October the month with higher count. Allergic subjects were identified by skin test to olive pollen in Tacna and Arica cities.

Follow-up of a Composite Endomycorrhizal Inoculum in the Rhizosphere of Olive Plants, Analysis after 42 Months of Culture

Endomycorrhizal inoculum, consisting of more than 26 mycorrhizal species, has been followed over time at the rhizosphere of olive trees. The evolution during time of this endomycorrhizal inoculum at the rhizosphere of plants has been discussed in this study. After 42 months, 45 species were isolated from the rhizosphere of inoculated olive plants. These species belong to 6 genera (Glomus, Acaulospora, Gigaspora; Scutellospora; Pacispora and Entrophospora), from these genera, Glomus was the most dominant (40%) followed by the Acaulospora (30%). Glomus constrictum and G. intraradices were the most abundant species, their frequency are respectively 17% and 15%. In comparison between detected species, those of primary inoculum and those recovered after 30 months, 36 endomycorrhizal species appeared and 14 species disappeared, but four species G. clarum, G. intraradices, G. mossea and G. versiforme have been able to maintain their status and stability of multiplication in the rhizosphere of olive plants.

Morphological, Chemical and Molecular Characterization of 'Old olive' (Olea europaea L.) from Montenegro

ABSTRACT Thousands of years of tradition of olive cultivation in Montenegro is witnessed with the 'Old olive' estimated to be more than 2000 years old. 'Old olive' draws attention to its genetic potential and the relation to the closest grown olive cultivars. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to give the basic description of 'Old olive' (through 20 morphological and 37 chemical properties) as well as to determine its DNA profile and to examine the closeness with major olive cultivar grown, cv. 'Žutica'. The obtained data showed the differences between examined samples. 'Old olive' started flowering (27. May) more than 10 days later than cv. 'Žutica' (14. May), and began ripening 15 days later (20th October and 5th October, respectively). From 21 morphological parameters analysed all traits of fruit (weight 2.11g in 'Old olive' and 3.55g in cv. 'Žutica'), and inflorescence density (6.39 versus 5.55) showed very significant and significant differences, respectively. The chemical properties also showed very significant differences in olive oil content in the fresh (11.28 versus 19.68%) and dry matter (27.97 versus 47.78%), and significant differences in the content of linolenic acid (0.76 versus 0.54g/100 of FA and of campesterol (3.4 versus 3.1%). Three out of eleven SSR markers (DCA05, DCA09, DCA16) distinguished obtained DNA fragments, and showed as important tool in differentiation of two samples. Further study of the 'Old olive' as a living memory of olive cultivation in Montenegro, should be to examine its relation with other ancient olive trees and local varieties.

First record of the olive bud mite Oxycenus maxwelli (Keifer) (Acari: Eriophyidae) from Brazil

The mite Oxycenus maxwelli (Keifer) (Eriophyidae) is reported for the first time in Brazil infesting olive trees, Olea europaea. Specimens were found on seedlings at Maria da Fé, state of Minas Gerais, in 2007. Although minor symptoms were not noticed, significant damage to plants were observed. There is no reliable evidence of when the mite could have been introduced. It is believed that the mite occurs since the first introductions of olive trees, around 1820, through vegetative propagating material, but the mite remained unnoticed due to the lack of studies with olive trees in Brazil.