Ragweed pollen collected along high‐traffic roads shows a higher allergenicity than pollen sampled in vegetated areas

Abstract

Background: Pollutants may affect pollen allergenicity and thus the prevalence of allergies. Although a few studies are available in literature, the connection between pollution and the allergenic potential of pollen has yet to be clearly defined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of traffic-related pollution on the allergenicity of ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) pollen through a field-based experiment. Methods: Mature pollen grains were collected from ragweed plants grown along main roadsides and in vegetated areas of Po river plain. The percentage of subpollen particle-releasing grains (SPPGs) was evaluated immediately after sampling by microscope and image analysis. Immunochemistry and LC-MS/MS were applied to assess the whole allergenicity and the allergen pattern characterizing the different pollen samples. Results: No statistical difference was detected in the percentage of SPPGs among pollen samples. Specifically, after hydration, the mean percentage was very low (<4%) in all the samples, regardless of the site of origin. On the contrary, pollen collected along high-traffic roads showed a higher whole allergenicity than pollen from low-traffic roads and vegetated areas which showed a reactivity similar to that of the commercial pollen 'Allergon', used as a standard. The detected higher allergenicity levels were attributed to both quantitative and qualitative differences in allergen pattern. Conclusion: Our findings show that pollen collected at different sites contains different amount and number of allergens and suggest that traffic-related pollution enhances ragweed pollen allergenicity, which may contribute to the increasing prevalence of ragweed allergy in Lombardy plain.

Particulate matter modifies the association between airborne pollen and daily medical consultations for pollinosis in Tokyo

“…Additionally, a London-based study found a positive association between high PM 10 levels and daily medical consultations for allergic rhinitis (Hajat et al, 2001). The findings from these earlier studies together with those from the current study suggest that the stronger effect of the cumulative airborne pollen count on consultations we observed on high-PM 2.5 /SPM days might be indicative of the synergetic effect of both types of particulate matter and pollen allergens resulting in worsened pollinosis symptoms (D'Amato et al, 2014;Ghiani et al, 2012;Wang et al, 2014). If this supposition is correct, it is an important finding as despite the numerous previous studies on the effects of air pollution on allergic disorders, to the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first to show an interactive relation between particulate matter and airborne pollen concentrations in terms of daily medical consultations for an allergic disorder.…”

“…It has been suggested for example, that air pollution might be interacting with pollen grains to increase the bioavailability of pollen allergens of a different allergenicity (Ghiani et al, 2012;Knox et al, 1997;Motta et al, 2006;Wang et al, 2012). It is also possible that air pollutants might facilitate pollen grains' penetration into the respiratory system (D'Amato et al, 2005).…”

Childhood intermittent and persistent rhinitis prevalence and climate and vegetation: a global ecologic analysis

“…4 Allergic responses may also be heightened by air pollutants acting directly on the individual and/or through interactions with allergens. 5 Previously, allergic rhinitis symptoms were classified as seasonal or perennial based on the timing of allergen exposure.…”

Distribution map ofAmbrosia artemisiifoliaL. (Asteraceae) in Italy

“…According to European policies [European Regulation (EU) No 1143No /2014 there is an urgent need for comprehensive information about occurrence, distribution and impacts of alien species to implement effective management measures aiming at contrasting their invasion and spread (EC 2011;Katsanevakis et al 2012). Common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (Asteraceae) is an annual weed native to the prairie regions of North America; in Europe it is an alien species (neophyte) that has became of main concern due to both its invasiveness (Chauvel et al 2006;Galzina et al 2010;Gladieux et al 2011) and its negative effect on human health as it produces highly allergenic pollen (Ghiani et al 2012). In 2009, in Nyon (Switzerland), a multidisciplinary group of scientists founded the International Ragweed Society (IRS; www.internationalragweedsociety.org) with the aim to promote knowledge and solutions concerning this problematic species by investigating its direct and indirect impacts on environment and human health as well as improving education, information, technical development and laws regarding the ragweed control.…”