PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate hidden allergens of acute idiopathic urticaria (AIU) in childhood by using the component-resolved diagnostics (CRD). METHODS: We applied CRD using pathogenesis-related protein family number 10 (PR-10) and nonspecific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTP). RESULTS: Twenty-two of the 74 AIU children (29.7%) were found to be positive on CRD. Ten children were positive to nMal d 1 for apple (value range, 1.10–40.59), 6 to rConr a 1 for hazelnut (1.53–11.97), 4 to rPru p 1 for peach (1.32–11.83). 6 to rAra h 8 for peanut (1.20–8.12), 6 to nAct d 8 for kiwi (0.85–3.32), 4 to rBet v 1 for birch (2.49–54.28), and 3 to rAln g 1 for alder (2.32–5.74). Six children were positive to nPru p 3 for peach (1.45–18.77), 4 to rCor a 8 for hazelnut (2.56–9.19), 2 to nArt v 3 for mugwort (3.40–7.42), and 3 to rBet v2 to profilin of birch (2.56–17.46). Ten children with AIU were positive to multiple component proteins. For hazelnut, 5 children were positive to PR-10 (rConr a 1) and nsLTP (rConr a 1). For peach, 3 children were positive to PR-10 (rPru p 1) and nsLTP (nPru p 3). CONCLUSION: IgE sensitization to PR-10 or nsLTP may be allergen components for AIU in childhood.
Allergens ; Alnus ; Arachis ; Artemisia ; Betula ; Child* ; Corylus ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Profilins ; Prunus persica ; Urticaria*

Alnus sibirica (AS) geographically distributes in Korea, Japan, Northeast China and Russia. The bark of this plant had been used for antipyretic, expectorant, anti-phlogistic, antitussive, anti-asthmatic and as a health tea for alcoholism. Recently, we studied various biological activities of AS and the isolated diarylheptanoid. In present study, we conducted fermentation of AS (FAS) and isolated two diarylheptanoid (hirsutenone and muricarpone B). Moreover, we established the validation and contents determinations of the two compounds by HPLC on FAS.
Alcoholism ; Alnus* ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Fermentation ; Japan ; Korea ; Plants ; Russia ; Tea

Air-borne pollen is known as one of the major causal agents to respiratory allergic reactions. The daily number of pollen grains was monitored using Burkard volumetric spore traps at eight locations including Seoul and Jeju during 1997-2005. Pollen grains were observed throughout the year especially from February to November. They showed similar distribution patterns of species among locations except Jeju, where Japanese cedar vegetation is uniquely found. The peak seasons for pollen grains from trees, grasses, and weeds were from March to May, May to September, and August to October. Tree pollens were mainly composed of pine, oak, alder, and birch. Weed pollens were mainly from Japanese hop, sagebrush, and ragweed. The diameter of pollen grains, which has a typical range of 20~60 micrometer, has close relationship with allergenicity. The allergenicity of trees and weed pollens is higher than that of grass pollens in general. Daily fluctuations in the amount of pollens have to do with a variety of meteorological factors such as temperature, rainfall, and the duration of sunshine. Temperature and rainfall are especially decisive in determining pollen concentrations. Ten weather elements that are thought to affect the concentration of pollens are used to develop equations for the pollen forecasts. Predictive equations for each pollen species and month are developed based on statistical analyses using observed data during the last 5 years in Seoul through a co-work with the Committee of Pollen Study in Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Diseases and National Institute of Meteorological Research.
Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Betula ; Cryptomeria ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity ; Meteorological Concepts ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Seasons ; Spores ; Sunlight ; Weather

PURPOSE: Airborne pollen is the most common causative agents of allergic disease. Since 2000, there isn't no more report about airborne pollen in Busan. This study is that pollen in one area of Busan was collected to investigate species, particle counts, seasonal distribution, and of its correlation with reactivity to skin prick test in children during 1998-2012. METHODS: Rotorod sampler was installed on the rooftop of St. Mary Hospital in Busan. A 24-hour sampling of airborne allergens over a fifteen-year period was conducted 6 days/wk from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2012. After staining they were identified, counted and recorded with the weather in Busan. RESULTS: Major pollens collected were Pine, Alder, Oak, Juniperus, Humulus. The pollen season is relatively short and the pollen dispersed mainly during the period from March to May in case of tree pollen, from April to September in case of grass pollen and from August to October in case of weed pollen. Total annual pollen count ranged from 36,412 grains/m3 (2002) to 1,342 grains/m3 (2006). The peak pollen season was seen for spring and autumn, especially in May and September during 1998-2012. In skin prick tests, birch was the highest sensitization rate (15.1%), followed by alder (14.7%), hazel (14.1%) in the tree for 15 years. And in weed, mugwort and ragweed were the highest sensitization rate (10.6%, 10.3%), followed by humulus (5.5%) for 15 years, but since 2008, was increased. CONCLUSION: Analysis of pollens sampled in the atmosphere of Busan, Korea, for a 15-year period identified 24 species of pollens with seasonal variation of some clinically important pollen load. Analysis of data, it showed that alder and birch are main allergen in spring for 15 years, and in 1998-2008, ragweed and artemisia was main allergen in fall, since 2009, followed by humulus.
Allergens ; Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Artemisia ; Atmosphere ; Betula ; Busan ; Child ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity* ; Juniperus ; Korea ; Poaceae ; Pollen* ; Seasons ; Skin ; Weather

PURPOSE: Determining the culprit allergen is important for the diagnosis and management of allergic diseases. The skin prick test (SPT) has been widely used to identify culprit allergens. Skin reactivity to allergens has changed due to changes in lifestyle and outdoor environments. Therefore, the aim of the present paper was to examine changes in allergen sensitization in Korea. METHODS: We enrolled 1,135 patients with respiratory allergic diseases who were diagnosed at Severance Hospital from January 2010 to December 2011. SPTs were performed with inhalant allergens, and were compared to our previous studies of the SPTs in the 1980s and the 1990s. RESULTS: In the 2010s, the SPT positive rate of allergic rhinitis or allergic conjunctivitis was higher than asthma without allergic rhinitis or allergic conjunctivitis. The SPT positive rate was decreased by increments of age (P value <0.01). Skin reactivity to tree pollens was significantly increased to 36.4% in the 2010s from 19.0% in the 1990s and 8.8% in the 1980s. Among tree pollens, skin reactivity to oak (4.7%->14.4%), birch (7.1%->13.6%), alder (6.3%->13.4%) and pine (2.9%->14.3%) was significantly increased in the 2010s compared with the 1990s, respectively. Current skin reactivity to grass pollens (13.9%) and weed pollens (27.0%) has significantly decreased since the 1990s (20.3%, 40.9%, respectively). Skin reactivity to house dust mites showed no difference between the 1990s (55.2%) and the 2010s (55.6%). Skin reactivity to dog (27.3%->20.7%) and cockroach (25.3%->12.3%) have significantly decreased in the 2010s in comparison with the 1990s. CONCLUSIONS: In light of the above results, we revealed the changes in skin reactivity to inhalant allergens that have occurred in Korean allergic patients over the past three decades. Since outdoor environmental factors such as the amount of pollen, global warming and plant distribution causes the changes in skin reactivity, further study and continuous close observation will be needed.
Allergens ; Alnus ; Animals ; Asthma ; Betula ; Cockroaches ; Conjunctivitis, Allergic ; Diagnosis ; Dogs ; Global Warming ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Style ; Plant Dispersal ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis ; Skin ; Skin Tests

PURPOSE: Recently allergic diseases have gradually increased in schools and among preschool aged childhood. Pollen amount of weeds also, especially ragweed, were increased. We evaluated the increased pollen count of weed was associated with the sensitization rate to weed in childhood. METHODS: Airborne particles carrying allergens were collected daily from eight stations nationwide(Seoul, Guri, Cheongju, Daegu, Kwangju, Busan, Kangneung, and Jeju) by using 7 days-Burkard sampler(Burkard Manufacturing Co Ltd, Hertfordshire, UK), for 7 years in South Korea(July 1, 1997-June 30, 2004). They were counted and recorded along with the weather. Data was collected through pediatric patients with allergic symptoms, who visit the pediatrics allergy clinics and capable of allerfy skin test among hospitals that have pollen collecting centers. RESULTS: Airborne pollen has two peak seasons:May and September in Korea. There were the tree pollen seasons from the middle of February to late July, then followed the grasses and weed season from the middle of July to the end of October. Ragweed was one of the most common pollens of autumn in Korea. In skin prick tests, Mugwort was the highest sensitization rate(7.6 percent), followed by ragweed(7.1 percent), birch(6.1 percent), alder, grasses mix among the pollen extracts in Korean school aged children. Ragweed pollen counts have gradually increased since 2000. In the same period, sensitization rates for airborne pollen, especially weeds, in Korean children have increased annually(1999:4.4 percent, 2000:7.1 percent, 2001:7.4 percent, 2002:8.5 percent, 2003:7.7 percent). CONCLUSION: Sensitization rates for outdoor airborne pollens have increased in Korean children. These findings might result from the changes of life styles and living environments in Korea.
Allergens ; Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Artemisia ; Busan ; Child* ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Daegu ; Gangwon-do ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea* ; Life Style ; Pediatrics ; Poaceae ; Pollen* ; Seasons ; Skin ; Skin Tests ; Weather

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There are many differences in common inhalant allergens between countries and regions. We need to determine the major inhalant allergens in this country with geographical characteristics. To observe the major inhalant allergens and establish essential ones for the skin prick test in Korea, a nation-wide multicenter study was performed. METHOD: The skin prick tests were performed with the same kits of 43 allergens on 2,554 allergy patients who visited their regional hospitals for one year. RESULT: There are significant differences in the sensitization rate to common inhalant allergens among the centers. Twenty three allergens showed > or=5% sensitization rate: D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Tetranychus urticae, Panonychus citri, Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium tenuis, cat fur, dog hair, American and German cockroach, tree pollen mixture I, alder, hazel, tree pollen mixture II, birch, beech, oak, plane tree, ragweed, mugwort, hop Japanese and chrysanthemum. CONCLUSION: We suggest the major allergens such as D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, T. putrescentiae, T. urticae, P. citri, outdoor molds, indoor molds, cat fur, dog hair, German and American cockroaches, tree pollens, mugwort, and hop Japanese pollen should be included in skin test battery in Korea.
Allergens* ; Alnus ; Alternaria ; Ambrosia ; Animals ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Betula ; Blattellidae ; Cats ; Chrysanthemum ; Cladosporium ; Dogs ; Fagus ; Fungi ; Hair ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea* ; Periplaneta ; Pollen ; Skin ; Skin Tests

Background and objectives: Mugwort pollen is one of the major causative allergens in this country. There have been a few reports suggesting a significant association between mugwort pollen and food allergens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the allergenic relationship between mugwort pollen and food allergens based upon skin prick tests. Material and method: Of 2,909 allergy patients who had been skin tested to identify causative allergens at the Allergy Clinic of Ajou University Hospital, 471 patients sensitized to mugwort, ragweed, or Hop Japanese pollens on skin prick test (2+ of A/H ratio) were enrolled for this study. Positive rates to common inhalant or food allergens and their allergenic relationships with other pollens or food allergens were analyzed based upon skin prick test results. RESULTS: The positive rates (2+ of A/H) to nettle, rye grass, Bermuda grass, birch, and alder pollens were significantly higher in those sensitized to mugwort pollen than in those of negative responders (p<0.05, respectively). In regard to food allergens, positive rates to celery (15.3%) and carrot (14.5%) were significantly higher in patients sensitized to mugwort pollen (p<0.05, respectively). Significant association was noted between mugwort pollen and celery allergen (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Positive response to mugwort pollen can be associated with celery and carrot sensitivity on skin prick tests.
Allergens* ; Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Apium graveolens* ; Artemisia* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Betula ; Cynodon ; Daucus carota* ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity* ; Lolium ; Pollen* ; Skin Tests ; Skin*

PURPOSE: Early sensitization to outdoor aeroallergens such as tree, grass and weed pollen in the early period of infancy is very important in the development of seasonal bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis. There is a suggestion that pollen contact during the first 6 months of life increases the risk of pollen allergy for 20 years or later. The aim of our investigation was to identify the relationship between sensitization to outdoor aeroallergens and the month and season of birth in childhood respiratory allergic disorders. METHODS: One hundred three seasonal allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthmatic children were enrolled for this study, and skin prick tests done for each patient to detect the sensitized allergens. Ragweed, mugwort, alder, hazelnut, elm, willow, birch, beech, oak, plane tree, orchard and timothy grass were used for outdoor aeroallergens. The relative risk (RR) for development of hypersensitivity to outdoor aeroallergen in children born in certain months was calculated. RESULTS: We found that relative risk of immediate hypersensitivity to each outdoor aeroallergen was dependent on the season and month of birth. Tree pollen was the most common sensitizing allergen in children who were born in spring (RR=2.12, P< 0.001) and May (RR=1.83, P=0.042), grass pollen was most common in summer (RR=2.06, P=0.046) and June-born children (RR=3.69, P< 0.001) ; weed pollen was the in fall (ragweed RR=2.89; mugwort RR=2.23, P< 0.001) and September-born children. (ragweed RR=2.10, P=0.029; mugwort RR=1.98, P=0.026) CONCLUSION: Exposure in early infancy to outdoor aeroallergens is an important risk factor in the subsequent development of bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Allergens ; Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Artemisia ; Asthma ; Betula ; Child ; Corylus ; Fagus ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate ; Parturition* ; Phleum ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; Risk Factors ; Salix ; Seasons ; Skin ; Skin Tests

The aim of this study was to investigate role of common pollen in Korean school-aged children with allergic rhinitis (AR) in 5 provinces (Incheon Metropolitan City-Gyeonggi Province, Chungcheongbuk-do, Gwangju Metropolitan City, Busan Metropolitan City, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province), using a questionnaire and skin prick test, and to assess the differences among the residential regions. Among the enrolled 14,678 total children, 1,641 (22.0%) had AR. The sensitization rate to pollen (38.7%) was the second highest among examined allergens and significant differences were in the sensitization rates to trees, weeds, and grasses among the 5 provinces (P < 0.05). The sensitization to trees (25.2%) was the highest common among the pollen types and significant differences also were observed in the sensitization rates to alder, birch, Japanese cedar, oak, and elm among the 5 provinces. The sensitization rate to weeds (19.9%) was the second highest and significant differences were observed in the sensitization rate to Japanese hop, mugwort, and ragweed among the 5 provinces. The sensitization rate to house dust mite was 86.8%, the highest among examined allergens and that to Dermatophagoides farinae exhibited regional differences (P = 0.003) but not to D. farinae (P = 0.584). The sensitization rate to mold (13.5%) was the highest in Jeju and lowest in Busan, and a statistically significant difference was detected among the 5 provinces. These results support that examined pollen allergens are strongly associated with residential region due to regional causative pollen differences among children with AR within Korea to investigate the main pollen allergens.
Allergens ; Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Betula ; Busan ; Child* ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Cryptomeria ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Fungi ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Korea ; Poaceae ; Pollen* ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic* ; Skin ; Trees