First comparison of symptom data with allergen content (Bet v 1 and Phl p 5 measurements) and pollen data from four European regions during 2009–2011

The grass pollen season 2014 in Vienna: A pilot study combining phenology, aerobiology and symptom data

“…The positive correlation of Kentucky bluegrass with symptom data could be explained by an anticipation effect of allergic symptoms before the increase of daily pollen concentrations. Possible explanations for such an effect would be differences in capture height of the pollen monitoring station (see Limitations) or allergen released in the ambient air before pollen grains were detected in the pollen monitoring station already having an impact on the allergic burden (Bastl et al, 2016). Orchard grass appeared to be one of the main contributors of the grass pollen season in Vienna (Fig.…”

“…Although group 1 and group 5 allergens are considered as major allergens within the Poaceae family, show high cross-reactivity rates within their allergenic groups and explain pollen sensitization (Andersson and Lidholm, 2003), patients can also be sensitized to minor allergens (Schmid-Grendelmeier, 2010). There are also differences in allergen content of the ambient air (Phl p 5), grass pollen concentrations and symptom loads on a European scale (Bastl et al, 2016;Buters et al, 2015). Moreover, recent studies highlight the unique biochemical profiles for each different grass species (Bullimore et al, 2012) and varying amounts of major allergen content (Moingeon et al, 2008).…”

New European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology definition on pollen season mirrors symptom load for grass and birch pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis

“…The described changing correlations between pollen counts and levels of symptoms in allergy sufferers and users of PHD in different years are not surprising: Not only the amount of pollen in the air but also environmental factors and changing major allergen amounts (Bet v 1/Ph p 5) may have a strong but regionally dependent impact on the symptom load …”

Differences in Reporting the Ragweed Pollen Season Using Google Trends across 15 Countries

“…Sentinel networks offer the potential to meet this need [4-7]. Pollen counts can forecast the exposure to pollen [8]. The assessment of allergen content in the air is feasible [9], but requires sophisticated methods that may not account for all of the pollen species in the ambient air.…”