Allergenicity to allergens like Prosopis juliflor and date tree pollens in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

To determine the major causes of allergic reactions and the level of sensitivity to local allergens among residents of Saudi Arabia. Retrospective data analysis. National Center for Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 110 patients who had allergies underwent skin testing. Twelve allergens were used for this study including the most commonly reported allergen Prosopis juliflora [mesquite] pollen. Skin prick tests. Date tree pollens and prosopis. Among the causes of allergies found in the 110 patients who were tested, 75.5% were found to be positive to prosposis, 59% to date tree pollens and 54.5% reacted to both. Positive reactions to CAT epithelium [46.4%], Bermuda grass [66.4%], Russian Thistle [71%] and Atriplex should also be considered as major factors causing senstitization in the region as this can also cause cross-reactivity among tree pollens and not necessarily to prosopis pollen. The findings suggest that prosopis pollen is a sensitizing factor to allergic patients of mesquite and their possible cross-reactivities with other tree pollens, merit further research [a] to draw conclusion of prosopis-hypersensitivity in many multiple sensitive patients and [b] to consider Prosopis as one of the major allergens in Saudi Arabia