OBJECTIVETo evaluate the species, quantity and diffusion of allergenic pollens as well as the relationship among allergic rhinitis (AR), pollen species and meteorological conditions in Kunming area.

METHODSThe exposure film was used to investigate the species of airborne pollen, the total number of these pollens during December 2009 to November 2010 by means of gravitational sedimentation, at the same time, AR patients were registered. The species of allergic pollen in Kunming area during the same period, and the statistic analysis was made with the meteorological elements, using the correlation analysis methods of Excel for data analysis.

RESULTSFrom December 2009 to November 2010, a total of 60 exposure films of pollen species was found, including 26 147 pollens. The annual airborne pollen showed two scattering peak, respectively: February to April and September to October; the number of advantage pollen was 17 species. The number of year-round drifting pollen was 13 species while 2 species showed two peaks on spring and autumn. There was another 26 new species added to the results of 2009-2010, compared with 1987-1989, while the original 12 species were not seen. The drifting peak was the same. The number of allergen intradermal tests (AIT) positive AR patients was positively correlated with 16 pollen species, respectively, oleaceae, alnus nepalensis, walnut, palm, pig weed, fennel, Amaranthaceae, artemisia, rosa, Albizia julibrissin Durazz, gramineae, castor, Fraxinus L, populus, Morus alba L, hemp humulus, (r value were 0.689 7, 0.550 1, 0.742 1, 0.755 2, 0.771 2, 0.663 3, 0.556 1, 0.568 3, 0.659 8, 0.607 4, 0.834 7, 0.664 3, 0.745 9, 0.634 7, 0.718 3, 0.777 2, all P < 0.05). The population of AIT positive AR patients was positively correlated with average temperature, average wind speed and other meteorological factors (r values were 0.552 0, 0.883 5, both P < 0.05), and was negatively correlated with average relative humidity (r = -0.714 7, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSKunming had a large number of airborne pollen species which showed two peaks annually, respectively, spring and autumn. The relationship among the number of AIT positive AR patients, the meteorological factors and the number of airborne pollen were close.