Occupational respiratory allergy in peach crop workers

Abstract

Sensitization to peach leaves was the cause of occupational respiratory symptoms in our patients. Some patient sera revealed IgE-binding proteins matching LTP and/or profilin.

Pru p 9, a new allergen eliciting respiratory symptoms in subjects sensitized to peach tree pollen

“…It belongs to PR-1a protein family, relevant for the induction of respiratory and ocular symptoms in allergic patients, independently whether they were directly or indirectly exposed [28]. Although it has been shown that PT allergens presented in leaves and branches can induce both upper and lower airway symptoms in exposed workers, the association between symptoms and specific allergens from the pollen was not verified [14,15]. Although fruit trees' pollens including PT have been considered of low allergenic potency by their entomophilous character [2,13], our data question these observations and are in line with other studies pointing to the same observation [10,11].…”

“…This transport can be facilitated by the presence of pollutants or the disruption of pollen in smaller submicronic particles [2]. In the case of the PT, allergens can also be released from other plant organs, such as leaves or stems [14,15]. Allergy to fruit and vegetal pollens has been reported with grapes, chestnut, strawberries, paprika, tomato, oranges, satsumas and apples, among others [5, 7, 9, 16, and 17].…”

Peach tree pollen and Pru p 9 may induce rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma in children†

“…A recent study in Spain has shown that peach tree is an important inducer of respiratory allergy, including asthma, in subjects working in orchards. 4 Several allergens have been identified which are present in leaves and small branches, although peach tree pollen was not studied. 4 † Correction added on 09 July 2019, after first online publication on 03 May 2019 : A comment on Table 2 in the 8th paragraph has been updated in this version.…”

Plant assemblages in atmospheric deposition

“…For example, inhalation of allergenic pollen can induce IgE-mediated hypersensitive reactions in sensitized individuals . Globally, atmospheric pollen influences climate by reflecting and absorbing solar and terrestrial radiation (Spänkuch et al, 2000;Guyon et al, 2004), and/or by serving as ice nuclei (IN) and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) (Pöschl et al, 2010;Pope, 2010). Finally, atmospheric pollen is involved in global cycling of substances (Després et al, 2012) by long-range transport and subsequent settlement to the planetary surface (pedosphere) by dry or wet deposition, i.e., sedimentation or precipitation, respectively.…”

“…Pollen grains are thus more influenced by gravity than smaller particles and tend to settle rapidly (Aylor, 2002;Di-Giovanni et al, 1995). Large particles such as pollen grains serve as giant CCN (GCCN) that can efficiently collide and scavenge smaller droplets when settling from the atmosphere (Johnson, 1982;Möhler et al, 2007;Pope, 2010). Atmospheric pollen grains contribute to the formation and growth of cloud droplets and precipitation, and thereby influence the global hydrological cycle (Després et al, 2012;Pope, 2010).…”