Immunologic, spectrophotometric and nucleic acid based methods for the detection and quantification of airborne pollen

Abstract

Microscopic identification of pollen morphological phenotypes has been the traditional method used to identify and quantify pollen collected by air monitoring stations worldwide. Although this method has enabled a semi-standardized approach for the assessment of pollen exposure, limitations including labor intensiveness, required expertise, examiner bias, and the inability to differentiate species, genera, and in some cases families have limited data derived from the these stations. Recent advances in chemical, biochemical and molecular detection methods have provided standardized alternatives to this microscopic approach. In this review, we examine the applicability of alternative methodologies, in particular nucleic acid based assays involving the quantitative polymerase chain reaction, for the standardized detection of airborne pollen.

Efficient and sensitive identification and quantification of airborne pollen using next‐generation DNA sequencing

“…Finally, immunological and spectrophotometric methods have been evaluated (Rittenour et al . ). To our knowledge, none of these approaches have thus far resulted in an operational method to replace the conventional counting method.…”

“…Pollen monitoring currently involves pollen collection from ambient air, usually by immobilizing it on a sticky tape, followed by microscopic identification and quantification under a microscope (Rittenour et al . ; Scheifinger et al . ).…”

“…Unfortunately, several aspects of the current pollen monitoring process hamper the establishment of such networks. Pollen monitoring currently involves pollen collection from ambient air, usually by immobilizing it on a sticky tape, followed by microscopic identification and quantification under a microscope (Rittenour et al 2012;Scheifinger et al 2013). This procedure requires trained personnel able to recognize the various pollen types, is labour intensive and therefore costly.…”

Evolution in immunological methods used in research and in the clinical diagnosis and management of human allergic diseases

“…The paper by Rittenour et al (2012) in this issue examines immunologic, spectrophotometric and nucleic acid based assay methods for the detection and quantification of outdoor airborne pollen. Laboratories participating in the air monitoring station network currently use microscopic identification of pollen morphological phenotypes to identify and quantify pollen.…”

Sensitive detection of protein biomarkers using silver nanoparticles enhanced immunofluorescence assay

“…Currently, increasing attention has been paid to the development of robust, sensitive, and inexpensive detection methods to analyzing protein biomarkers, establishing a cornerstone of disease monitoring and diagnosis 1, 2. Various advanced techniques, such as surface plasmon resonance3, electrochemical4, 5, quartz crystal microbalance6 and optical analysis methods7, 8 (including fluorescence and chemiluminescence) have been applied for the detection and quantification of biomarkers based on different respective signal generation principles 9, 10.…”