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

PURPOSE: Allergic diseases have been increased in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of sensitization rate to inhalant allergens over 10 years in children with allergic diseases from a tertiary referral hospital. METHODS: Skin prick tests were done in total 2,225 children in 2000, 2005, and 2010. Changes of skin reactivity to 12 major inhalant allergens, including Tree pollen mixture I (Alder, Elm, Hazel, Poplar, Willow), Tree pollen mixture II (Beech, Birch, Oak, Plane tree), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farina, Alternaria, cat dander, and dog dander were investigated. RESULTS: The sensitization rates to Tree pollen mixture I and II were increased as 5.0%, 6.8% in 2000, 8.5%, 9.8% in 2005, and 14.8%, 17.3% in 2010, respectively (trend P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively). And the sensitization rates to D. pteronyssinus cat dander and dog dander were changed as 55%, 4.8%, 4.8% in 2000, 62.2%, 11.9%, 28% in 2005, and 63.1%, 12.7%, 16.7% in 2010, respectively. The distribution of sensitized pollens was oak (12.8%), beech (12.4%), pine (10.3%), birch (10%), hazel (9.6%), alder (8%), elder (6.9%), elm (5.4%) in the study of 2010. When allergen/histamine ratio was compared, rates of strong sensitization over 4+ to tree pollen were increased. CONCLUSION: The sensitization rates to inhalant allergens were increased in children with asthma or allergic rhinitis from a tertiary referral hospital in Seoul over last 10 years. Especially, an increase in the degree of skin reactivity was observed in cat dander, dog dander, and tree pollens. The studies to investigate the etiology of this increase and prevention will be needed.
Allergens ; Alnus ; Alternaria ; Animals ; Asthma* ; Betula ; Cats ; Child* ; Dander ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dogs ; Fagus ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Pollen ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis* ; Seoul ; Skin ; Tertiary Care Centers*

PURPOSE: The positive rates of allergy skin test of pollens are relatively higher in children in Suwon compared to other areas in Korea. To evaluate the significance of tree pollen as a causative allergen, we undertook this study. METHODS: In 252 children with asthma, scratch tests were done with 72 extracts, including 9 tree pollen. Antigen specific serum IgE antibodies were measured by radioimmunoassay. In 2 children, birch-bronchial challenges were performed. RESULTS: By allergic skin tests, 231 of 252 children showed positive skin reactions to more than 1 antigen, and 102 (44.2%) showed positive reactions to tree pollen extracts. Twenty-five (24.5%) were house dust mites non-sensitive, tree pollen sensitive children. The skin test positivity to individual antigens are as follows : D. pteronyssinus (72.7%), D. farinae (68.4%), hazel (53%), willow (53%), birch (19.9%), oak (19.5%), beech (17.3%), alder (10.4%), ash (8.7%) and elm (7.4%). The degree of skin reaction to tree pollen was relatively weaker than those of house dust mites. The positive concordance rates between skin tests and specific IgE reactions to D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae and tree pollens were 94.4%, 77.3% and 64.1%, respectively. Seven out of 25 mite non-sensitive children had seasonal pollinosis and 2 children experienced early asthmatic responses due to birch-bronchial challenge tests. CONCLUSION: Up to 44.2% of children with respiratory allergy showed positive reactions to tree pollen extracts and 24.5% of them were house dust mites non-sensitive cases. Therefore, tree pollen should be investigated as a causative allergen, regardless of a patient's age.
Alnus ; Antibodies ; Asthma ; Betula ; Child* ; Fagus ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Korea ; Mites ; Pollen* ; Pyroglyphidae ; Radioimmunoassay ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal* ; Salix ; Seasons ; Skin ; Skin Tests

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

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the results of skin prick test using 55 allergens at 20 centers in the Republic of Korea in 2006, 2010, and 2014–2015. The aim was to assess changes in the positive rate of allergens according to temporal, regional, and environmental factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 20 hospitals were selected based on the population distribution in the Republic of Korea. A skin prick test panel comprising 55 aeroallergens was distributed to 18 hospitals for this prospective study. The 2006 and 2010 skin prick test results were collected and analyzed retrospectively from 20 hospitals, while the 2014/2015 skin prick test results (from June 2014 to May 2015) were collected prospectively from 18 hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 14,897 SPT test results were analyzed: 4,319 in 2006, 7,431 in 2010, and 1,852 in 2014/2015. The overall rate of skin prick test positivity to more than two allergens was significantly higher in males than females. The positive rates of alder pollens and birch, oak and ragweed pollen positivity were increased in older patients. Several positive rates were increased according to the temperature in spring. The positive rates for beech pollen, birch pollen, hazel pollen, oak pollen, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, mugwort, cat, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae were significantly increased, while those of Cult rye pollen and dandelion were significantly decreased over the three test periods. The overall positive rate for allergens in Jeju province varied significantly from Seoul and other cities. CONCLUSION: Change in the positive rate of multiple aeroallergens was evaluated in the Republic of Korea over time. Our findings can be used to recommend aeroallergens suitable for inclusion in skin prick test panels in the Republic of Korea and will facilitate further investigation of changes in the patterns of allergic diseases.
Allergens* ; Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Animals ; Artemisia ; Betula ; Cats ; Demography ; Fagus ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Mites ; Pollen ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Secale ; Seoul ; Skin* ; Taraxacum

OBJECTIVES: Tree pollen causes allergic rhinitis and asthma. We investigated children who diagnosed as rhinitis or asthma, living in Busan, for tree allergen sensitization, component allergen, oral allergy syndrome, and the relationship between pollen counts and allergen sensitization.METHODS: Pollen were collected in Busan, from January 1 to December 31, 2017, using a Rotorod sampler and enumerated using a microscope. We conducted a study of children with rhinitis or asthma at Busan St. Mary's Hospital in 2017, administered an ISAAC questionnaire, and an oral allergy syndrome survey. Serum specific Ig E tests were performed.RESULTS: Among the 57 patients, the mean age was 9.3 years. The pollen counts in decreasing order were as follows: pine, alder, oak, juniper, beech, ginkgo, and birch. For sensitization, birch and alder 35.1%, Japanese cedar 19.3%, juniper 17.5%, pine 10.5%, and Japanese cypress 8.2%. The component Ig E was tested in 27 patients. Bet v 1 had a high correlation with birch, alder, and peach. Bet v 2 showed a statistically significant correlation with all tree pollen except cypress. Bet v 4 did not have any apparent correlation. Bet v 6 had the same pattern as Bet v 2, but correlation coefficient was higher than that of Bet v 2. Oral allergy syndrome was noted in 7 patients, including peach, peanut, apple, tomato, kiwi, and sesame.CONCLUSIONS: Alder and juniper are clinically important tree pollens in Busan. These pollens cause sensitization to birch and Japanese cedar by cross-reaction.
Alnus ; Arachis ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Betula ; Busan ; Child ; Cryptomeria ; Cupressus ; Fagus ; Ginkgo biloba ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Juniperus ; Lycopersicon esculentum ; Pollen ; Prunus persica ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Sesamum ; Trees

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pollinosis is an increasing problem, with allergenic pollen causing rhinitis, asthma, and other allergic diseases. This study examined the patterns of sensitization to inhalant allergens in patients with respiratory allergies and analyzed the regional pollen concentrations in Ulsan, Korea. METHODS: A skin prick test was performed with 21 common inhalant allergens, including 18 types of pollen, in 634 patients with respiratory allergies from January of 2008 through December of 2010. Airborne pollen was collected daily from three different stations in Ulsan using a Durham sampler. Daily records and identification of the pollen types were made (2009-2010). RESULTS: The sensitization rates for inhalant allergens were as follows: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (38.2%), Dermatophagoides farinae (38.0%), birch (15.8%), alder (15.3%), hazel (14.2%), oak (13.5%), beech (10.8%), mugwort (9.6%), and hop Japanese (5.2%). Airborne pollen has two peak seasons: tree pollen from February to June, followed by weed pollen from August to October. Pine tree, oak, and alder were the most frequently found pollen types in spring, whereas hop Japanese and mugwort were the most frequently found pollen types in autumn. CONCLUSIONS: House dust mites are the most common offending allergen in Ulsan. The sensitization rates to some tree pollen types, including birch, alder, and hazel were higher than those of weed or grass pollen. Causative allergens are changing in response to climate change and air pollution. Continuous aerobiological monitoring is the cornerstone for observing changes in pollen and a prerequisite for the study of the effect of climate change on allergic diseases.
Air Pollution ; Allergens* ; Alnus ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Betula ; Climate Change ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Fagus ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity* ; Korea ; Pinus ; Poaceae ; Pollen* ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; Seasons ; Skin ; Ulsan

PURPOSE: Inhalant allergen sensitization is one of the major factors involved in the pathogenesis of allergic respiratory diseases. However, the sensitization is determined by interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Thus, testing panels of inhalant allergens may differ among geographical areas. Here we aimed to determine 10 common inhalant allergens in Korean adult patients with suspected respiratory allergies and to examine the variation between different geographical locations. METHODS: A total of 28,954 patient records were retrieved for retrospective analysis, from 12 referral allergy clinics located in 9 different areas. Inclusion criteria were Korean adults (≥18 years old) who underwent the inhalant allergen skin prick test for suspected history of respiratory allergy. The primary outcome was inhalant allergen skin prick response. Demographic and clinical information were also collected. Positive skin prick responses to allergens were defined as allergen-to-histamine wheal ratio ≥1. Based on skin test results, the most prevalent aeroallergens were determined. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of allergic sensitization was 45.3%. Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were the most commonly sensitized allergens. Other common inhalant allergens were cat epithelium (8.1%), birch (7.7%), mugwort (6.9%), alder (6.7%), hazel (6.7%), beech (6.7%), oak (6.6%), and Tyrophagus putres (6.2%), in decreasing order frequency. These 10 inhalant allergens explained 90% of inhalant allergen sensitization in the study participants. However, distinct patterns of the 10 inhalant sensitization were observed in patients living in Chungnam and Jeju. American cockroach, Gernam cockroach, and Trichophyton metagrophytes were unique in Chungnam. Orchard, Japanese cedar, and Velvet were unique in Jeju. CONCLUSIONS: The present analysis suggests a panel of 10 most common inhalant allergens in Korean adult patients with suspected respiratory allergies, which explained 90% of inhalant allergen sensitization. This panel can be utilized as a practical and convenient tool for primary practice and epidemiological surveys of respiratory allergic diseases.
Adult* ; Allergens ; Alnus ; Animals ; Artemisia ; Betula ; Cats ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Cockroaches ; Cryptomeria ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Epithelium ; Fagus ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Periplaneta ; Prevalence ; Referral and Consultation ; Retrospective Studies* ; Skin ; Skin Tests ; Trichophyton

Inonotus obliquus is a fungus that causes white heart rot on several broad-leaved species. This fungus forms typical charcoal-black, sterile conks (chaga) or cinder conks on infected stems of the birche (Betula spp). The dark brown pulp of the sterile conk is formed by a pure mycelial mass of fungus. Chaga are a folk remedy in Russia, reflecting the circumboreal distribution of I. obliquus in boreal forest ecosystems on Betula spp. and in meridional mountain forests on beech (Fagus spp.) in Russia, Scandinavia, Central Europe, and Eastern Europe. Distribution at lower latitudes in Western and Southern Europe, Northern America, Asia, Japan, and Korea is rare. Infected trees grow for many years without several symptoms of decline. The infection can penetrate through stem injuries with exterior sterile conks developing later. In the Czech Republic, cinder conk is found on birches inhabiting peat bogs and in mountain areas with a colder and more humid climate, although it is widespread in other broad leaved species over the Czech Republic. The most common hosts are B. pendula, B. pubescens, B. carpatica, and F. sylvatica. Less frequent hosts include Acer campestre, Acer pseudoplatanus, Alnus glutinosa, Alnus incana, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus cerris, Q. petraea, Q. robur, Q. delachampii, and Ulmus sp.
Acer ; Alnus ; Asia ; Betula ; Climate ; Czech Republic ; Ecology ; Ecosystem ; Europe ; Europe, Eastern ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Fagus ; Fraxinus ; Fungi ; Heart ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Medicine, Traditional ; North America ; Quercus ; Russia ; Scandinavia ; Soil ; Trees ; Ulmus ; Wetlands