Clinical significance of allergic sensitization toOlea europaea L. pollen in Naples area, Italy

In the Oleaceae family, the most allergenic pollen is produced by Olea europaea, the olive tree, which in the Mediterranean area has been recognized as one of the most important cause of seasonal respiratory allergy The olive pollination season lasts from May to the end of June and sometimes causes severe symptoms (oculorhinitis and/or bronchial asthma). Olive pollinosis is quite rare in the form of monosensitization. Although adults are affected the most, olive sensitization can be recognized in children, too. However, it is not easy to be sure about the clinical relevance of allergic sensitization to olive, even in patients with positivity to this pollen, as results from allergological tests in vivo and/or in vitro, because positivity to Olea pollen is not equivalent to clinical responsibility, above all in patients without seasonal respiratory symptomatology. Studies on the allergenic content of O. europaea pollen are currently in progress. In Northern and Central Europe, where there are no olive trees, there are two commonly occurring genera of the Oleaceae family, namely Fraxinus and Ligustrum, but these have a low frequency of allergic sensitization. A fourth anemophilous member of the Oleaceae, Phillyrea, has a more regional distribution in some parts of the Mediterranean. Other nonanemophilous and usually not allergenic Oleaceae genera are Forsythia, Jasminum and Syringa.

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“…We find it more frequently associated with sensitization to other allergens, above all pollens [59].…”

Section: Clinical a Sp E C Tsmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…In a group o f 4.142 patients living in the Naples area and examined consecutively in our center from January 1, 1988 to December 30, 1989, we found a frequency of skin prick test positivity to Olea pollen allergens of 13.49% in adults and 8.53% in children, considering all skin-positive patients [59],…”

Section: Clinical a Sp E C Tsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oleaceae Pollinosis: A Review

Liccardi

D'Amato

D’Amato

1996

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

Self Cite

100

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“…The highest concentrations are recorded in Andalusia, with a maximum of 67000 pollen grains in the atmosphere of Jaén during 1997 , Díaz de la Guardia et al 1999, due to the predominance of extensive olive-groves with high pollen production (Tormo et al 1996). High values are reported for daily pollen concentrations throughout the Mediterranean basin (Gioulekas et al 1991, Liccardi et al 1994.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Olea europaea is a major allergenic species (Gioulekas et al 1991, Negrini 1992, Liccardi et al 1994, Domínguez 1995, D'Amato 1998, particularly in Mediterranean areas where it is grown as a commercial crop. In these areas, up to 40% of the population may be sensitive to olive pollen (Fernando et al 1998, García et al 1998.…”

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confidence: 99%

Airborne olive pollen in Vigo (Northwest Spain): a survey to forecast the onset and daily concentrations of the pollen season

Rodríguez-Rajo

Dacosta

Jato

2004

Grana

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“…The olive is also one of the most important species from an allergological point of view, particularly in those areas where it is cultivated, and there have been many studies aimed at improving the treatment of allergy patients (Arobba & Negrini 1986, D'Amato et al 1988, Barber et al 1990, D'Amato & Spieksma 1990, Kernerman et al 1992, Lombardero et al 1992, Wheeler 1992, Liccardi et al 1994.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%