Allergenic Pollen Calendar in Korea Based on Probability Distribution Models and Up-to-Date Observations

PURPOSE: The pollen calendar is the simplest forecasting method for pollen concentrations. As pollen concentrations are liable to seasonal variations due to alterations in climate and land-use, it is necessary to update the pollen calendar using recent data. To attenuate the impact of considerable temporal and spatial variability in pollen concentrations on the pollen calendar, it is essential to employ a new methodology for its creation.METHODS: A pollen calendar was produced in Korea using data from recent observations, and a new method for creating the calendar was proposed, considering both risk levels and temporal resolution of pollen concentrations. A probability distribution was used for smoothing concentrations and determining risk levels. Airborne pollen grains were collected between 2007 and 2017 at 8 stations; 13 allergenic pollens, including those of alder, Japanese cedar, birch, hazelnut, oak, elm, pine, ginkgo, chestnut, grasses, ragweed, mugwort and Japanese hop, were identified from the collected grains.RESULTS: The concentrations of each pollen depend on locations and seasons due to large variability in species distribution and their environmental condition. In the descending order of concentration, pine, oak and Japanese hop pollens were found to be the most common in Korea. The pollen concentrations were high in spring and autumn, and those of oak and Japanese hop were probably the most common cause of allergy symptoms in spring and autumn, respectively. High Japanese cedar pollen counts were observed in Jeju, while moderate concentrations were in Jeonju, Gwangju and Busan.CONCLUSIONS: A new methodology for the creation of a pollen calendar was developed to attenuate the impact of large temporal and spatial variability in pollen concentrations. This revised calendar should be available to the public and allergic patients to prevent aggravation of pollen allergy.

Tree Pollen Sensitization and Cross-Reaction of Children with Allergic Rhinitis or Asthma / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

OBJECTIVES: Tree pollen causes allergic rhinitis and asthma. We investigated children who diagnosed as rhinitis or asthma, living in Busan, for tree allergen sensitization, component allergen, oral allergy syndrome, and the relationship between pollen counts and allergen sensitization.METHODS: Pollen were collected in Busan, from January 1 to December 31, 2017, using a Rotorod sampler and enumerated using a microscope. We conducted a study of children with rhinitis or asthma at Busan St. Mary's Hospital in 2017, administered an ISAAC questionnaire, and an oral allergy syndrome survey. Serum specific Ig E tests were performed.RESULTS: Among the 57 patients, the mean age was 9.3 years. The pollen counts in decreasing order were as follows: pine, alder, oak, juniper, beech, ginkgo, and birch. For sensitization, birch and alder 35.1%, Japanese cedar 19.3%, juniper 17.5%, pine 10.5%, and Japanese cypress 8.2%. The component Ig E was tested in 27 patients. Bet v 1 had a high correlation with birch, alder, and peach. Bet v 2 showed a statistically significant correlation with all tree pollen except cypress. Bet v 4 did not have any apparent correlation. Bet v 6 had the same pattern as Bet v 2, but correlation coefficient was higher than that of Bet v 2. Oral allergy syndrome was noted in 7 patients, including peach, peanut, apple, tomato, kiwi, and sesame.CONCLUSIONS: Alder and juniper are clinically important tree pollens in Busan. These pollens cause sensitization to birch and Japanese cedar by cross-reaction.

Sublingual Immunotherapy for Japanese Cedar Pollinosis Attenuates Asthma Exacerbation

No abstract available.

Gender differences in the psychophysiological effects induced by VOCs emitted from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)

BACKGROUND@#Wood is a valuable material for interiors, and the psychophysiological relaxation effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from wood chips and essential oils have been reported. However, few studies have identified the odors in full-scale wooden environment, and also, differences in gender have not been clarified. In this study, we aimed to confirm the effects of VOCs emitted from interior wood walls in both human male and female participants.@*METHODS@#We used Japanese cedar timber and analyzed VOCs in the experimental rooms with and without Japanese cedar timber by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The physiological effects were measured using neuroendocrinological and immunological parameters in saliva. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the subjective responses to each odor in the experimental rooms.@*RESULTS@#The main compound emitted from Japanese cedar timber was δ-cadinene, and the total volume of VOCs in the wood condition (presence of VOCs emitted from Japanese cedar) was 282.4 (μg/m). Significant differences between genders in salivary parameters were shown that there were decreases of α-amylase in wood condition and increases of cortisol in the control (absence of VOCs) condition in female participants compared to male participants. The results demonstrated that VOCs in the experimental room with Japanese cedar timber tend to suppress the activation of the sympathetic nervous activity and non-VOCs of Japanese cedar in the control room increase cortisol in female participants.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These results suggest that an indoor environment with wood interior materials has the potential to be useful for health management, especially women's health.

Involvement of cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants-specific IgE in pollen allergy testing

BACKGROUND: Specific IgE antibodies against the low-molecular-weight carbohydrate antigen that does not bridge IgE molecules on mast cells are not associated with clinical symptoms. Cross reactivity can be determined in allergen-specific IgE detection assays when the carbohydrate structures between pollen allergens and plant derived food allergens are similar; in such cases, false positive results for grain or legume allergens can be reported for pollen allergic patients who are not sensitized to those allergens. This phenomenon arises owing to the presence of cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of CCD interference on the results for pollen allergen-specific IgE antibodies in the general adult population and to perform CCD inhibition tests evaluating the involvement of CCD on samples positive to pollen allergens. METHODS: Serum samples from 322 subjects were tested for IgE antibodies to pollens and CCD. The research subjects were given questionnaires about pollen allergic symptoms to help assess the presence of allergies. Allergen IgE antibodies for Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress, orchard grass, ragweed, MUXF, bromelain, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and ascorbate oxidase (ASOD) were analyzed. RESULTS: It was observed that among individuals who tested positive to any of the pollen allergens, the positive ratio of CCD-specific IgE antibody was the highest for HRP (13.5%–50.0%). The results from the inhibition tests revealed that CCD was marginally present. Although IgE antibodies for cedar pollen did not react with CCD, IgE antibodies for Japanese cypress, orchard grass, and ragweed might be detected by the presence of CCD. CONCLUSION: The results of the inhibition tests revealed the obvious presence of CCD suggesting its involvement. Considering these findings, careful evaluation of patient IgE results should be performed for Japanese cypress, orchard grass, and ragweed.

Regional Difference of Causative Pollen in Children with Allergic Rhinitis

The aim of this study was to investigate role of common pollen in Korean school-aged children with allergic rhinitis (AR) in 5 provinces (Incheon Metropolitan City-Gyeonggi Province, Chungcheongbuk-do, Gwangju Metropolitan City, Busan Metropolitan City, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province), using a questionnaire and skin prick test, and to assess the differences among the residential regions. Among the enrolled 14,678 total children, 1,641 (22.0%) had AR. The sensitization rate to pollen (38.7%) was the second highest among examined allergens and significant differences were in the sensitization rates to trees, weeds, and grasses among the 5 provinces (P < 0.05). The sensitization to trees (25.2%) was the highest common among the pollen types and significant differences also were observed in the sensitization rates to alder, birch, Japanese cedar, oak, and elm among the 5 provinces. The sensitization rate to weeds (19.9%) was the second highest and significant differences were observed in the sensitization rate to Japanese hop, mugwort, and ragweed among the 5 provinces. The sensitization rate to house dust mite was 86.8%, the highest among examined allergens and that to Dermatophagoides farinae exhibited regional differences (P = 0.003) but not to D. farinae (P = 0.584). The sensitization rate to mold (13.5%) was the highest in Jeju and lowest in Busan, and a statistically significant difference was detected among the 5 provinces. These results support that examined pollen allergens are strongly associated with residential region due to regional causative pollen differences among children with AR within Korea to investigate the main pollen allergens.

Patterns of Inhalant Allergen Sensitization and Geographical Variation in Korean Adults: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

PURPOSE: Inhalant allergen sensitization is one of the major factors involved in the pathogenesis of allergic respiratory diseases. However, the sensitization is determined by interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Thus, testing panels of inhalant allergens may differ among geographical areas. Here we aimed to determine 10 common inhalant allergens in Korean adult patients with suspected respiratory allergies and to examine the variation between different geographical locations. METHODS: A total of 28,954 patient records were retrieved for retrospective analysis, from 12 referral allergy clinics located in 9 different areas. Inclusion criteria were Korean adults (≥18 years old) who underwent the inhalant allergen skin prick test for suspected history of respiratory allergy. The primary outcome was inhalant allergen skin prick response. Demographic and clinical information were also collected. Positive skin prick responses to allergens were defined as allergen-to-histamine wheal ratio ≥1. Based on skin test results, the most prevalent aeroallergens were determined. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of allergic sensitization was 45.3%. Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were the most commonly sensitized allergens. Other common inhalant allergens were cat epithelium (8.1%), birch (7.7%), mugwort (6.9%), alder (6.7%), hazel (6.7%), beech (6.7%), oak (6.6%), and Tyrophagus putres (6.2%), in decreasing order frequency. These 10 inhalant allergens explained 90% of inhalant allergen sensitization in the study participants. However, distinct patterns of the 10 inhalant sensitization were observed in patients living in Chungnam and Jeju. American cockroach, Gernam cockroach, and Trichophyton metagrophytes were unique in Chungnam. Orchard, Japanese cedar, and Velvet were unique in Jeju. CONCLUSIONS: The present analysis suggests a panel of 10 most common inhalant allergens in Korean adult patients with suspected respiratory allergies, which explained 90% of inhalant allergen sensitization. This panel can be utilized as a practical and convenient tool for primary practice and epidemiological surveys of respiratory allergic diseases.

Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) Pollinosis in Jeju, Korea: Is It Increasing?

Jeju is an island in South Korea located in a temperate climate zone. The Japanese cedar tree (JC) has become the dominant tree species while used widely to provide a windbreak for the tangerine orchard industry. An increase in pollen counts precedes atopic sensitization to pollen and pollinosis, but JC pollinosis in Jeju has never been studied. We investigated JC pollen counts, sensitization to JC pollen, and JC pollinosis. Participants were recruited among schoolchildren residing in Jeju City, the northern region (NR) and Seogwipo City, the southern region (SR) of the island. The JC pollen counts were monitored. Sensitization rates to common aeroallergens were evaluated by skin prick tests. Symptoms of pollinosis were surveyed. Among 1,225 schoolchildren (49.6% boys, median age 13 years), 566 (46.2%) were atopic. The rate of sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (35.8%) was highest, followed by D. farinae (26.2%), and JC pollen (17.6%). In the SR, 156 children (23.8%) were sensitized to JC pollen; this rate was significantly higher than that in the NR (59 children, 10.4%, P<0.001). A significant increment in the sensitization rate for JC pollen with increasing school level was observed only in the SR. JC pollen season in the SR started earlier and lasted longer than that in the NR. JC pollen season in Jeju was defined as extending from late January to mid-April. The prevalence of JC pollinosis was estimated to be 8.5%. The prevalence differed significantly between the NR and SR (5.3% vs 11.3%, P<0.001), mainly due to the difference in sensitization rates. JC pollen is the major outdoor allergen for early spring pollinosis in Jeju. JC pollen season is from late January to mid-April. Warmer weather during the flowering season scatters more JC pollen in the atmosphere, resulting in a higher sensitization rate in atopic individuals and, consequently, making JC pollinosis more prevalent.

Prevalence and allergens of allergic rhinitis in children and adolescents in Gwangju

PURPOSE: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common childhood diseases in Korea. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and allergens of childhood AR in Gwangju. METHODS: From April 2013 to September 2013 in Gwangju, skin prick test and questionnaire survey were performed targeting 2,330 children in total (350 kindergartners, 930 elementary school students, 589 middle school students, and 461 high school students). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of AR was 23.5% (female 21.3%, male 26.1%). According to age groups, prevalence of AR was 14.9% (female 10.7%, male 19.8%) in kindergartners, 24.5% (female 18.8%, male 29.4%) in elementary school students, 23.3% (female 18.1%, male 27.6%) in middle school students, 26.2% (female 27.7%, male 23.2%) in high school students. The most common allergen was Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (79.7%), followed by Dermatophagoides farina (72.2%), birch (14.0%), alder (12.0%), Japanese hop (9.2%), Alternaria (8.9%), cat fur (7.2%), Japanese cedar (6.9%), ryegrass (6.6%), willow (6.0%), pine (5.4%), oak (4.9%), mugwort (4.3%), orchard grass (4.0%), sheep fescue (3.7%), fat hen (3.4%), ragweed (3.4%), and maple (3.4%). CONCLUSION: This research figures out the prevalence and the detailed allergens of AR in Gwangju children. We suggest that more vegetation data of Japanese cedar should be surveyed in recent future.

The Revised Edition of Korean Calendar for Allergenic Pollens

The old calendar of pollens did not reflect current pollen distribution and concentrations that can be influenced by changes of weather and environment of each region in South Korea. A new pollen calendar of allergenic pollens was made based on the data on pollen concentrations obtained in eight regions nationwide between 1997 and 2009. The distribution of pollen was assessed every day at 8 areas (Seoul, Guri, Busan, Daegu, Jeonju, Kwangju, Kangneung, and Jeju) for 12 years between July 1, 1997 and June 30, 2009. Pollens were collected by using Burkard 7-day sampler (Burkard Manufacturing Co Ltd, UK). Pollens which were stained with Calberla's fuchsin staining solution were identified and counted. Pine became the highest pollen in May, and the pollen concentrations of oak and birch also became high. Ragweed appeared in the middle of August and showed the highest pollen concentration in the middles of September. Japanese hop showed a high concentration between the middle of August and the end of September, and mugwort appeared in the middles of August and its concentration increased up until early September. In Kangneung, birch appeared earlier, pine showed a higher pollen concentration than in the other areas. In Daegu, Oriental thuja and alder produced a large concentration of pollens. Pine produced a large concentration of pollens between the middle of April and the end of May. Weeds showed higher concentrations in September and mugwort appeared earlier than ragweed. In Busan the time of flowering is relatively early, and alder and Oriental thuja appeared earliest among all areas. In Kwangju, Oriental thuja and hazelnut appeared in early February. Japanese cedar showed the highest pollen concentration in March in Jeju. In conclusion, update information on pollen calendar in South Korea should be provided for allergic patients through the website to manage and prevent the pollinosis.

Sensitization rates of airborne pollen and mold in children / 소아과

PURPOSE: Aeroallergens are important causative factors of allergic diseases. Previous studies on aeroallergen sensitization rates investigated patients groups that had visited pediatric allergy clinics. In contrast, we investigated sensitization rates in a general population group of elementary school to teenage students in Incheon, Jeju, and Ulsan. METHODS: After obtaining parental consent, skin-prick tests were performed on 5,094 students between March and June 2010. Elementary school students were tested for 18 common aeroallergens, whereas middle and high school students were tested for 25 allergens. The 25 allergens included Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, pollen (birch, alder, oak, Japanese cedar, pine, willow, elm, maple, Bermuda grass, timothy grass, rye grass, orchard grass, meadow grass, vernal grass, mugwort, Japanese hop, fat hen, ragweed, and plantain), and mold (Penicillatum, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Alternaria). RESULTS: The sensitization rates in descending order were 25.79% (D. pteronyssinus), 18.66% (D. farinae), 6.20% (mugwort), and 4.07% (willow) in Incheon; 33.35% (D. pteronyssinus), 24.78% (D. farinae), 15.36% (Japanese cedar), and 7.33% (Alternaria) in Jeju; and 32.79% (D. pteronyssinus), 30.27% (D. farinae), 10.13% (alder), and 8.68% (birch) in Ulsan. The dust mite allergen showed the highest sensitization rate among the 3 regions. The sensitization rate of tree pollen was the highest in Ulsan, whereas that of Alternaria was the highest in Jeju. The ragweed sensitization rates were 0.99% in Incheon, 1.07% in Jeju, and 0.81% in Ulsan. CONCLUSION: The differences in sensitization rates were because of different regional environmental conditions and distinct surrounding biological species. Hence, subsequent nationwide studies are required.

The Influence of the Residential Environment on the Sensitization Rates to Aeroallergens and the Prevalence of Allergic Disorders in the School Children in Jeju / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: This study is to investigate the influence of the residential environment on the sensitization rates to aeroallergens and the prevalences of atopic disorders in the school children. METHODS: Two elementary schools in Jeju, Korea were selected according to their distinctive residential environment, one located in the area surrounded by the tangerine farms and Japanese cedar forests (tangerine farming community) and the other rarely with them (non-tangerine farming community). All the school children (1,550 students) from the two school were enrolled in this study. Under their parents' informed consent, surveys based on International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire were answered by the parents and skin prick tests with 16 common aeroallergens were performed. RESULTS: The questionnaire is responded from 1,290 parents (83.2%) and the skin test was done in 1,284 students (82.8%). The sensitization rates to more than one aeroallergen was 41.9%, increasing by age. The children residing in the tangerine farming community showed significantly higher sensitization rates than those from non-farming one (47.5% vs. 38.4%, P=0.004). The former were sensitized more frequently to house dust mite, citrus red mite and Japanese cedar pollen, while the others to outdoor moulds. However, the prevalence of atopic disorders had no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The residential environment might influence the sensitization rates to prevalent aeroallergens in the environment among school children, but there is no difference in the prevalence of the atopic disorders.

Development of Pollen Concentration Prediction Models

Air-borne pollen is known as one of the major causal agents to respiratory allergic reactions. The daily number of pollen grains was monitored using Burkard volumetric spore traps at eight locations including Seoul and Jeju during 1997-2005. Pollen grains were observed throughout the year especially from February to November. They showed similar distribution patterns of species among locations except Jeju, where Japanese cedar vegetation is uniquely found. The peak seasons for pollen grains from trees, grasses, and weeds were from March to May, May to September, and August to October. Tree pollens were mainly composed of pine, oak, alder, and birch. Weed pollens were mainly from Japanese hop, sagebrush, and ragweed. The diameter of pollen grains, which has a typical range of 20~60 micrometer, has close relationship with allergenicity. The allergenicity of trees and weed pollens is higher than that of grass pollens in general. Daily fluctuations in the amount of pollens have to do with a variety of meteorological factors such as temperature, rainfall, and the duration of sunshine. Temperature and rainfall are especially decisive in determining pollen concentrations. Ten weather elements that are thought to affect the concentration of pollens are used to develop equations for the pollen forecasts. Predictive equations for each pollen species and month are developed based on statistical analyses using observed data during the last 5 years in Seoul through a co-work with the Committee of Pollen Study in Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Diseases and National Institute of Meteorological Research.

Effects of lysed Enterococcus faecalis FK-23 on allergen-induced peritoneal accumulation of eosinophils and serum total IgE concentration in inbred mice.

Recent clinical trials have shown the possibility of probiotics in prevention and treatment of allergic diseases. The purpose of this experimental study was to assess the influence of lysed Enterococcus faecalis FK-23 (LFK) on allergic responses in different mouse strains. We performed a comparative study on the effects of LFK for allergen-induced peritoneal accumulation of eosinophils and serum total IgE concentration by using BALB/c, C57BL/6, C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice. There was no significant difference in total number of peritoneal accumulated cells induced by cedar pollen allergen between the control and LFK groups in any strain of mice (p > 0.05); however, the ratio of eosinophils to total accumulated cells was significantly decreased in LFK-treated mice of BALB/c (p = 0.016), C3H/HeN (p = 0.010) and C3H/HeJ (p = 0.004), but not C57BL/6 (p > 0.05). No significant difference in serum total IgE concentration was found between the control and LFK groups of different mouse strains (p > 0.05). These results reveal a different effect of LFK on suppressing allergen-induced local eosinophila in inbred strains of mice, suggesting the effectiveness of probiotics on limiting allergy might be under the influence of individual genetic background.

A correlation between symptom severity and unbalanced reactive IgA production in Japanese cedar pollinosis patients.

To better understand the unbalanced immunoglobulin production that occurs in pollinosis, we measured the levels of IgG, IgA, and IgE reactive to either Japanese cedar pollen, Cry j 1 protein, or Cry j 2 protein in the sera of pollinosis patients. As expected, the levels of these immunoglobulins (Igs) reactive to the three antigens were significantly higher in the patients than in the controls, and the RAST scores correlated with the levels of these Igs. Only the levels of IgA reactive to the Cry j 2 protein and IgG reactive to the Japanese cedar pollen antigen did not correlate with the RAST scores. We classified the patients into mild and severe, based on the severity of their allergic symptoms, and compared their levels of Igs. As expected, the levels of IgE reactive to Japanese cedar pollen and Cry j 1 of the severe group were significantly higher than those of the mild group. It is of note that the ratio of anti-Cry j 1 IgE to anti-Japanese cedar pollen IgA was significantly higher in the patients with severe symptoms suggesting that decreased IgA production could be responsible for the severity of pollinosis.

Larvas de Coleoptera em ecossistemas de araucária no Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão, SP / Coleoptera larvae in araucaria ecosystems in the State Park in Campos do Jordão, SP, Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer as alterações na população de larvas de coleópteros do solo em diferentes ecossistemas de Araucaria angustifolia (Bertoloni) O. Ktze: mata nativa bem preservada; mata introduzida em Latossolo Amarelo apresentando diversidade intermediária de outras espécies vegetais e mata introduzida em Cambissolo com baixa diversidade vegetal e ocorrência de fogo acidental, no município de Campos do Jordão, SP, visando à preservação desta espécie arbórea. As larvas foram coletadas em superfície amostral de 25 × 25cm, nas profundidades do solo de 0-10, 10-20 e 20-30cm e na serapilheira. Foram coletadas dez amostras por ecossistema, nos meses de outubro de 2002 (período seco) e março de 2003 (período chuvoso). Em relação à mata nativa, foram observadas alterações na densidade e na diversidade das larvas nos ecossistemas introduzidos em Latossolo Amarelo e em Cambissolo. As características químicas e físicas do solo, aliadas às condições climáticas, contribuíram para as alterações nesta comunidade.

Quantitative analysis of antigen specific IgE in tears in comparison to serum samples.

We determined pollen specific IgE in tears and compared these results to the concentration of specific IgE in serum samples. We obtained tears (using Schirmer strips) and serum samples from subjects with Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis, and tested for C. japonica pollen specific IgE using a quantitative ELISA. Time kinetic analyses through the pollen season showed that specific IgE levels in tears were found to increase earlier than those in sera and reached their maximum at the end of or after the pollen season, from March to early June. In the C. japonica pollen free season, July to December, the specific IgE levels in tears decreased, although the serum levels remained relatively high. These results indicate that the quantitative assay for specific IgE in tears might be useful to identify specific eye allergens.

Establecimiento in vitro de Cryptomeria japonica (Taxocidaceae) / In vitro establishment of Cryptomeria japonica (Taxocidaceae)

In this work, it was achieved to establish in vitro shoots of Cryptomeria japonica from 20 year old trees. The shoots were disinfected and treated with six different concentrations of kinetin and belciladenine in order to induce their development and budding. It was evaluated the effect of quality and lighting intensity on these using for this orange light at 20 microEs-1 m-2 and white light at 30 microEs-1 m-2. For shoots rooting it was used different concentrations of NAA (naftalen acetic acid) and IBA (indolbutiric acid) alone or combined. BA and KIN induced the bud formation in Cryptomeria but it was observed the best budding with BA at 9.1 microM. White light and orange light promoved the growth of explants as well as the growth of new buds but it was higher with orange light. The bud rooting was observed but it was not possible to find the best auxin concentration for rooting because of the plentiful callus formation on the base of explants and the root formation was very sporadic. The rooted shoots were placed on a substrate for their acclimation in greenhouse conditions.

Allergic Diseases by Pollens (Pollinosis)

Over the last 20 years or so, aeropalynologic and allergologic studies have progressed and extensive international networks now provide regular pollen and hay-fever forecasts. To make a diagnosis of pollinosis, it is necessary to know the vegetation in the region where the patient lives. In Korea, pollen allergens that are considered to be clinically important are tree pollens in spring, grass pollens in summer, and weed in autumn. Pollination starts in spring and ends in autumn. Weed pollen is by far the most important cause of pollinosis in Korea peninsula, however, the most important pollen in Jeju island is from Japanese cedar in spring. The major clinical manifestations by pollen is allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Bronchial asthma also develops in some of pollen-sensitized patients. The most important diagnostic approach is allergen skin prick test followed by serum-specific IgE measurement. To confirm the causative pollens, nasal and bronchial provocation test should be done. If the causative allergen is clarified, the treatment is to use a special mask in outdoor and keep stay inside of house equipped with an air filtration system if possible. To start preventive drugs just before the pollen season and continue them after the season is also an important therapy. Immunotherapy is recommended to the patients by consulting to an allergy specialist.

Prevalence of asthma and atopy in children living in rural areas of Cheju island for an interval of three years / 천식및알레르기

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of asthma has been increasing due to changes in lifestyles. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of asthma and atopy for an interval of three years in children living in rural areas of Cheju island. METHODS: A total of 1,055 and 755 subjects aged 7-15 years in South Cheju County were enrolled for an interval of three years, respectively. They responded to the modified ISAAC questionnaire, and underwent allergy skin prick test with locally common aeroallergens and methacholine bronchial provocation test. Children who had asthma symptom as reported on the questionnaire and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine were diagnosed as current asthma. Atopy was defined as the positive skin responses to one or more aeroallergens. RESULTS: The prevalence of current asthma had increased from 4.4% to 7.0% during the three years, especially among children aged 13 to 15 years (3.9% vs. 7.6%), although the asthma prevalence was similar between the two intervals among children aged 7 to 12 years (5.2% vs. 6.8%). The atopy rate had significantly increased from 37.7% to 45.9% during the three years. As for common sensitizing aeroallergens, sensitization rate to citrus red mite had significantly increased among both the young and the old age groups. The sensitization rates to house dust mites, such as D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae, had increased among the old age groups, but not among the young age groups, although the sensitization rates to cockroach and Japanese cedar pollen were similar among both the young and old age groups at the two intervals. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of current asthma and atopy had increased among children living in rural areas of Cheju island during the three year interval. The sensitization to house dust mite and citrus red mite had increased during the three years, and may play an important role in the increased prevalence of current asthma.