Interpreting atmospheric pollen counts for use in clinical allergy: allergic symptomology

Frenz, David A.

doi:10.1016/s1081-1206(10)62683-x

Cited by 75 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 51 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Although thresholds are influenced by environmental factors such as high levels of concomitant air pollution, or by individual factors such as priming of the immune system (Frenz, 2001;Peden, 2001), it was interesting that we found population-level associations at grass pollen concentrations that barely reached currently accepted thresholds. This suggests that the allergenic potential of the grass species dominant in our setting could be different from those studied to date.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Pollen Loads and Allergic Rhinitis in Darwin, Australia: A Potential Health Outcome of the Grass-Fire Cycle

2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although the prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis has been increasing in tropical regions, little is known about the allergenicity of pollens from tropical plant families or the importance of ongoing environmental changes. We investigated associations between daily average pollen counts of several tropical plant families and sales of medications for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in Darwin, Australia-a tropical setting in which grass abundance has increased due to increased fire frequencies and the introduction of African pasture grasses. Daily pollen counts with detailed identification of plant species were undertaken in conjunction with a weekly survey of flowering plant species from April 2004 to November 2005. Five pharmacies provided daily sales data of selected medications commonly used to treat allergic rhinitis. We used generalized linear modeling to examine outcomes.All analyses accounted for the potential confounding effects of time trends, holidays, respiratory viral illnesses, meteorological conditions, and air pollution. The peak total pollen count was 94 grains/m 3 . Despite the low levels of Poaceae (grass) pollen (maximum daily count, 24 grains/m 3 ), there was a clear association with daily sales of anti-allergic medications greatest at a lag of 1 day. Sales increased by 5% with an interquartile range rise (3 grain/ m 3 ) in Poaceae pollen (5.07%, 95%CI 1.04%, 9.25%). No associations were observed with pollen from other plant families. Although further testing is required, we suggest that an overlooked aspect of the ''grass-fire cycle'' that is degrading many tropical landscapes, could be an increase in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Pollen Loads and Allergic Rhinitis in Darwin, Australia: A Potential Health Outcome of the Grass-Fire Cycle

2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The wind speed was not taken into consideration due to some missing values. Similar to the study by Stach et al [17], to prevent multicollinearity, it was decided not to enter highly correlated independent variables into the multiple regression models. For example, from maximum, mean and minimum temperatures of the same 10-day period, only one of these parameters was included in the model (if any).…”

Section: This Study On Monitoring Airbornementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The above-mentioned statistical analyses are used to forecast parameters of the pollen seasons of various taxa. For this purpose, average monthly values of weather data are used [17,40,41] or, as in the present study, data from 10-day periods that allowed more accurate regression models to be developed [42,43,44].…”

Section: Disscusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Analysis of Fraxinus pollen seasons and forecast models based on meteorological factors

Kubik-Komar

Piotrowska-Weryszko

Weryszko-Chmielewska

et al. 2018

Ann Agric Environ Med.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

of Fraxinus pollen seasons and forecast models based on meteorological factors. Ann Agric Environ Med. doi: 10.26444/aaem/80909 Abstract Introduction and objective. The timings of Fraxinus and Betula flowering and pollen release overlap, which may cause increased allergic reactions in sensitive people. The aim of the present study was to characterize Fraxinus pollen seasons in Lublin (central-eastern Poland) and to identify meteorological factors that most determine the occurrence of airborne pollen of this taxon, as well as obtain forecast models for the basic characteristics of the pollen season. Materials and method. The study was conducted in Lublin during the period 2001-2016, employing the volumetric method. The seasons were compared by PCA (Principal Component Analysis). To determine relationships between meteorological conditions and the pattern of pollen seasons, regression analysis was used. Data for the period 2001-2015 were used to create forecast models by applying regression analysis, while the 2016 data served to verify these models. Results. Season end date and seasonal peak date were characterized by the lowest variation. The biggest differences were found for peak value and total annual pollen sum. The average dates of occurrence of ash pollen grains in the air of Lublin were between 13 April 13 -3 May 3, whereas, on average, the pollen peak date occurred on 23 April. The factor loading values for the PC1 variable indicate that it is most strongly correlated with peak value and total pollen sum, while the PC2 variable correlated with the pollen season start date and season duration (a negative correlation). Regression models were developed for the following pollen season characteristics: season start, end and duration, seasonal peak date, and total annual pollen sum. Conclusions. The fit of the forecast models was at the level of 62-94%. Analysis of the data showed that weather conditions mainly in February were important factors controlling the Fraxinus pollen season.

show abstract

“…in the summer and fall. Pollen from the genus Ambrosia which includes A. artemisiifolia (short or common ragweed), A. trifida (giant ragweed), A. psilostachya (western ragweed), and A. bidentata (lanceleaf ragweed) has long been acknowledged to be a significant cause of allergic disease (2). An extensive skin test survey demonstrated that at least 10% of the US population is ragweed sensitive; the prevalence of ragweed sensitivity among atopic individuals was 27% in two large case series (3,4).…”

Section: Aerobiology | Allergies | Global Warmingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent warming by latitude associated with increased length of ragweed pollen season in central North America

Ziska

Knowlton

Rogers

et al. 2011

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

333

220

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A fundamental aspect of climate change is the potential shifts in flowering phenology and pollen initiation associated with milder winters and warmer seasonal air temperature. Earlier floral anthesis has been suggested, in turn, to have a role in human disease by increasing time of exposure to pollen that causes allergic rhinitis and related asthma. However, earlier floral initiation does not necessarily alter the temporal duration of the pollen season, and, to date, no consistent continental trend in pollen season length has been demonstrated. Here we report that duration of the ragweed (Ambrosia spp.) pollen season has been increasing in recent decades as a function of latitude in North America. Latitudinal effects on increasing season length were associated primarily with a delay in first frost of the fall season and lengthening of the frost free period. Overall, these data indicate a significant increase in the length of the ragweed pollen season by as much as 13-27 d at latitudes above ∼44°N since 1995. This is consistent with recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projections regarding enhanced warming as a function of latitude. If similar warming trends accompany long-term climate change, greater exposure times to seasonal allergens may occur with subsequent effects on public health. aerobiology | allergies | global warming

show abstract

Interpreting atmospheric pollen counts for use in clinical allergy: allergic symptomology

Cited by 75 publications

References 51 publications

Pollen Loads and Allergic Rhinitis in Darwin, Australia: A Potential Health Outcome of the Grass-Fire Cycle

Pollen Loads and Allergic Rhinitis in Darwin, Australia: A Potential Health Outcome of the Grass-Fire Cycle

Analysis of Fraxinus pollen seasons and forecast models based on meteorological factors

Recent warming by latitude associated with increased length of ragweed pollen season in central North America

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About