Immunotherapy with partially purified and standardized tree pollen extracts

Abstract

Patients allergic to tree pollen entered a 3-year course of immunotherapy (1980-83) with either birch pollen extracts alone (n = 26) or patient-tailored extracts of birch, alder and hazel pollen (n = 27). The clinical and immunological results of this study are published elsewhere. This paper contains an evaluation of skin prick test and nasal provocation test results. There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups concerning these two parameters. In both groups the allergen-specific sensitivity in the skin showed seasonal variations but a significant decrease. During the years of treatment there was also a significant decrease in the specific sensitivity of the nasal mucosa. With the present demands for purification and standardization of allergen extracts it is of practical and economic interest to know that tree pollen-allergic patients showing positive reactions to birch, alder and hazel extracts can be effectively treated using birch pollen extract alone.

Allerjenik Betula (Huş Ağacı) Polenlerinin Türkiye’deki Dağılımları

“…Ancak polenleri özellikle Kuzey ve orta Avrupa'da allerjik rinokonjunktivit ve/veya astım gibi rahatsızlıklara neden olmaktadır (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Huş ağacı polenlerindeki allerjenlerin belirlenmesine yönelik yapılan çalışmada Betula pendula (=Betula verrucosa) türünde 9-35 kDa arasında allerjenler (Bet v 1-7) saptanmıştır (11,(64)(65)(66)(67)(68)(69)(70).…”

“…Bu polenler arasında Betulaceae familyasına ait Betula (birch -huş ağacı) üyeleri de bulunmaktadır (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Betulaceae familyasında Betula dışında Alnus (kızılağaç), Carpinus (gürgen), Corylus (fındık), Ostrya (kayacık) üyeleri de ülkemizde doğal yayılış göstermektedir (9)(10)(11).…”

Genetically Engineered Plant Allergens with Reduced Anaphylactic Activity

“…Since Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 bind more tree pollen–specific IgE than any other pollen allergen from hazel, oak, birch, alder or hornbeam, they appear to be the most allergenic pollen proteins from these trees. Together, these two allergens harbor most of the IgE epitopes of the Fagales pollen allergens [52], indicating that these birch pollen allergens alone may be effective in diagnosing and treating Fagales pollen allergen [53, 54, 55]. Bet v 3 and Bet v 4 have been identified as calcium–binding proteins [56, 57].…”

Orbicules inBetula Pendulaand their Possible Role in Allergy

“…Ubisch (1927) and Kosmath (1927) published lists of different species that contain tapetal cells with orbicules on their surface. These early studies were followed by several others which were based solely on light microscopy investigations (for detailed review, see Banerjee 1967 andRaj &.Later studies using SEM andTEM were published on the morphology and ontogeny of orbicules (Ubisch bodies), e.g., Rowley (1962Rowley ( , 1963 To our knowledge, there is no information published on the morphology, ontogeny and histochemistry of orbicules in Befirla.The allergenicity of Befirla pollen is well documented (Wihl et al 1988. However the possible allergenic effects of the orbicules in Betrrla have not yet been investigated.…”

“…The allergenicity of Befirla pollen is well documented (Wihl et al 1988. However the possible allergenic effects of the orbicules in Betrrla have not yet been investigated.…”