空气致敏花粉污染研究进展

对空气致敏花粉污染概念的提出 ,空气致敏花粉污染的特点和影响因素 ,花粉采集方法的改进以及空气致敏花粉污染的研究进展等方面进行了总结 ,指出了研究中存在的问题 ,并对研究前景进行了展望     

European allergenic pollen types

Summary Pollen data have been collected from 66 stations, situated in 19 European countries thanks to the initiative of both the Working Group «European Aeroallergen Network» (of the Int. Assoc. of Aerobiology) and the Subcommittee «Aerobiology of inhalant allergens» of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology. Volumetric data over periods of 3 to 5 years (up to 1988) were included, and 15 both aerobiologically and allergologically relevant taxa were selected. Geographically adjacent stations were grouped together into regions looking at the peak period of the airborne grass-pollen presence. The result is a collection of 21 regional European pollen calendars, some of which are covering several countries (e.g. «Western Europe»), others are applicable only to a part of one country (e.g. «Southern Italy»).Comparing the calendars, general features are the South-to-North delay shift in the appearance of tree-pollen types in Spring, and the reverse shift for the weed-pollen types in late summer. The presence ofAmbrosia pollen in the air in several parts of Central Europe is clearly shown.     

The principal airborne and allergenic pollen species in the Netherlands

Summary A list of the principal airborne and allergenic pollen species in the Netherlands was compiled on the basis of the pollen lists of Leiden and Helmond, the Leiden pollen calendar, the hour-square frequencies of the species in question in the Netherlands and the degree of allergenicity of the extent known. Twenty-two trees and shrubs, 9 herbs and 32 grasses were selected.     

Seed hairs of poplar trees as natural airborne pollen trap for allergenic pollen grains

The present article deals with the efficacy of seed hairs of poplar trees (Populus spp.) as a potent natural airborne pollen trap. Different species of Populus are commonly found planted along the streets in the cities of North China. The seed hairs and pericarp of poplar trees were collected from the trees and on the ground in Beijing Botanical Garden of Chinese Academy of Sciences and around Miyun Reservoir during May 2005 for pollen analysis. Different pollen spectra are recorded from different samples and are characterised by dominant occurrence of pollen grains of arboreal and anemophilous plants. In addition, pollen grains of non‐arboreal plants including grasses are also found trapped. Among the 46 trapped pollen grains, 26 are known to be allergenic. This study suggests that poplar seed hairs possibly make people feel uncomfortable due to the presence of allergenic pollen trapped in the hairs.     

A comparative study on the effects of altitude on daily and hourly airborne pollen counts

The concentration of pollen grains in the air was studied using two aerobiological volumetric Hirst-type spore traps, one at ground level and the other at a height of 16 m on a terrace. The study was carried out between 2009 and 2011, from March to June in Badajoz (SW Spain). Intradiurnal and daily pollen counts were compared with both, different meteorological parameters and the distribution of local pollen sources. Forty-six pollen types were identified and 89 % of the total grains corresponded to Quercus, Poaceae, Olea, Pinaceae and Plantago pollen types, in descending order. The mean height ratio of the daily pollen count was 1.02. Significant correlations were observed when comparing daily pollen counts for predominant pollen types at both levels. The comparisons have shown significant differences in the daily pollen count between the two samplers in the case of Olea and Pinaceae, but not for Quercus, Poaceae and Plantago. Similar results were obtained using the intradiurnal airborne pollen database. No significant correlation has been found between pollen count and the different meteorological parameters, showing no dependence on height. These differences of Olea and Pinaceae may be explained in part by the uneven distribution of the pollen sources and the disturbance by nearby buildings. The temporal variation patterns between the two sites were similar; however, taking into account the average of the data, the higher values were obtained first at the ground level and later at 16 m.     

A 10-year survey of allergenic airborne pollen in the city of Porto (Portugal)

Airborne pollen calendars are useful to estimate the flowering season of the different plants as well as to indicate the allergenic potential present in the atmosphere at a given time. In this study, it is presented a 10-year survey of the atmospheric concentration of allergenic pollen types. Airborne pollen was performed, from 2003 to 2012, using a 7-day Hirst-type volumetric trap. The interannual variation of the daily mean concentration of the number of pollen grains and the main pollen season was determined as well as the hourly variations and correlation with meteorological parameters. During the study period, 18 different allergenic pollen types were considered based on its representativeness on the total annual airborne pollen concentration. The lowest annual concentrations were sampled in 2006 and the highest in 2007. The highest airborne pollen concentration was found during early spring and early summer. On the contrary, December was the month with the lowest pollen concentration. The major pollen sampled belongs to trees followed by weeds and grasses, being the most representative pollen types in the atmosphere: Urticaceae, Platanus, Poaceae, Pinaceae, Cupressaceae, Acer, Quercus, Castanea, Plantago, Alnus, Olea europaea, Betula, Myrtaceae and Populus. Intradiurnal distribution patterns of the pollen types studied presented differences with some taxa being predominantly sampled in the morning (9–11 a.m.) while others in first night hours (between 9 and 12 p.m.). Significantly correlations were found between the airborne pollen concentration and meteorological parameters.     

Forecasting airborne pollen concentrations: Development of local models

People's sensitivity to allergies may representone of the most important health factors of thenext century to which attention must be paid inorder to reduce the incidence of social costsand improve the quality of life.Taking into consideration the earnest requestsof the medical-scientific communityEmilia-Romagna ARPA (Regional Agency for thePrevention of the Environment) moved theattention from the monitoring to a short andmedium term prediction of the concentration ofallergenic pollens in the air in order toachieve a more effective therapeutic action.Our main objectives are to improve seasonalforecasts and to interpret anomalous years.A neural network model for grass pollenforecasting has been implemented. Inputvariables were meteorological situations, i.e.,daily temperature (max., min. and average) andrainfall, in addition to combinations ofindividual variables and their thresholds. Theoutput was daily pollen concentration.The model was able to understand and predictanomalous years. We demonstrate that therelationships between pollen concentrations andmeteorological situations are independent fromsite. This means that such models canunderstand the differences in differentareas.     

北京主要气传致敏花粉年浓度峰值日期预测

花粉是我国北方引发过敏性鼻炎最主要过敏原,花粉症发病期与花粉浓度高峰期吻合。基于北京地区2012至2020年花粉季多站、逐日分类花粉浓度观测数据分析,得出北京地区花粉浓度在3月上旬至5月中旬(可进一步划分为3月中旬至4月上旬和4月下旬至5月上旬两个高峰期)和8月中旬至9月中旬分别存在两个高峰期,第一个高峰期内优势致敏花粉种类为柏科、杨柳科和松科,第二个高峰期内优势致敏花粉种类为桑科、菊科蒿属和藜科。根据优势致敏花粉年浓度峰值日期观测数据,使用与花粉采样站点位置相匹配的逐日气象观测数据累积值,基于作物模型概念和模糊逻辑原理建立了北京地区主要气传致敏花粉年浓度峰值日期预测模型。经检验,柏科、杨柳科、松科、桑科、菊科蒿属和藜科花粉模型预测准确率分别为87.8%、80.0%、64.4%、86.7%、78.8%和81.8%。基于北京地区主要气传致敏花粉年浓度峰值日期预测模型可为本地花粉症防治提供理论参考。     

Fifteen years' record of airborne allergenic pollen and meteorological parameters in Thessaloniki,Greece

A pollen calendar has been constructed for the area of Thessaloniki and relationships between pollen transport and meteorological parameters have been assessed. Daily airborne pollen records were collected over a 15-year period (1987-2001), using a Burkard continuous volumetric pollen trap, located in the centre of the city. Sixteen allergenic pollen types were identified. Simultaneously, daily records of five main meteorological parameters (mean air temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, sunshine, wind speed) were made, and then correlated with fluctuations of the airborne pollen concentrations. For the first time in Greece, a pollen calendar has been constructed for 16 pollen types, from which it appears that 24.9% of the total pollen recorded belong to Cupressaceae, 20.8% to Quercus spp., 13.6% to Urticaceae, 9.1% to Oleaceae, 8.9% to Pinaceae, 6.3% to Poaceae, 5.4% to Platanaceae, 3.0% to Corylus spp., 2.5% to Chenopodiaceae and 1.4% to Populus spp. The percentages of Betula spp., Asteraceae (Artemisia spp. and Ambrosia spp.), Salix spp., Ulmaceae and Alnus spp. were each lower than 1%. A positive correlation between pollen transport and both mean temperature and sunshine was observed, whereas usually no correlation was found between pollen and relative humidity or rainfall. Finally, wind speed was generally found to have a significant positive correlation with the concentrations of 8 pollen types. For the first time in the area of Thessaloniki, and more generally in Greece, 15-year allergenic pollen records have been collected and meteorological parameters have been recorded. The airborne pollen concentration is strongly influenced by mean air temperature and sunshine duration. The highest concentrations of pollen grains are observed during spring (May).     

Intradiurnal patterns of allergenic airborne pollen near a city motorway in Berlin,Germany

In this study, the seasonally averaged intradiurnal patterns of four different pollen types (Fraxinus, Betula, Poaceae and Artemisia) and the role of traffic volume, air pollution and selected weather parameters were investigated. Measurements were carried out with a 7-day recording volumetric spore trap (Hirst type) near a congested city motorway (the A 100) in Berlin, Germany, in 2012, 2013 and partly 2011. Both Poaceae and Artemisia pollen showed distinct patterns which were similar across the years. The main period of grass pollen concentrations in the air was from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. with peaks about midday or in the afternoon. Mugwort pollen mainly occurred between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. with a clear maximum from 8 to 10 a.m. With regard to Fraxinus and Betula pollen, the patterns were not as clear and showed differences throughout the years. The intradiurnal patterns of traffic volume and pollen load, mainly of Poaceae in the afternoon and Artemisia in the morning, were partly coincident. The combination of both a high pollen count and air pollution, due to exhaust emissions, represents a special health threat which could result in a double burden for allergy sufferers. In the case of the daily means of Betula and Poaceae, relative humidity had a significantly negative effect on pollen concentrations on the same and/or next day/s, sunshine duration (Poaceae) and air temperature (Artemisia) a positive one.     

Changes in airborne pollen concentrations in Delhi,India

In order to find the qualitative and quantitative changes in airborne pollen concentrations in Delhi metropolis area an aerobiological survey was undertaken from September 1990 to August 1997. Air samples were collected daily using a Rotorod Aeroallergen Sampler at 10?m above the ground level. Ninety-four pollen types were recorded and the major contributors include Morus, Cannabis, Chenopod/Amaranth, Prosopis, Artemisia, and Eucalyptus. Ten pollen types contributed 90% of the total pollen load. Two major pollen seasons were recorded each year (February–April and September–November), although pollen grains in low frequency were recorded throughout the whole year. A significant reduction in pollen concentration was observed in subsequent years. The number of Morus, Cannabis, Prosopis, and Artemisia pollen decreased considerably while the number of Ricinus communis pollen did not show any considerable change during the study period. It is suggested that the reduction in pollen numbers from 1990 to 1997 in Delhi is due to massive clearing of vegetation for developmental activities of the city.     

Airborne Poaceae pollen in Porto (Portugal) and allergenic profiles of several grass pollen types

This work aims to investigate the presence of airborne grass pollen and to identify antigenic and allergenic profiles from eight different grass species collected in the Porto region (Portugal). Poaceae airborne pollen, sampled using a Hirst-type volumetric trap during 2003–2007, was the second most abundant type, and high concentrations were found from April to August. Pollen proteins extracted from the eight grass species collected were separated by SDS-PAGE, being the allergenic profile investigated by immunoblotting using sera from atopic patients and maize profilin polyclonal antibody (ZmPRO3). Pollen extract profiles showed several bands ranging from 10 to 97 kDa. In immunoblotting studies, a low molecular weight protein (12–13 kDa) was recognized by profilin antibody. Also, in all pollen extracts except Zea mays, the IgE binding proteins of 12–13 kDa were detected in sera from the 25 patients with different sensitization profiles presenting high IgE values (>80 kU/l). This protein can be considered as a potential causal agent of the allergic respiratory diseases.     

A comparative biochemical study of conifer pollen allergens

In the order Coniferales, only the family Cupressaceae is regarded as being a significant source of airborne allergens, withJuniperus ashei characterized as the most significat aeroallergen. Pollen of the closely related speciesJ. virginiana has been shown to cross-react withJ. ashei pollen, however,J. virginiana pollen is not considered an important aeroallergen. Although there have been several reports of allergies toPinus pollen, the pollen of this genus is regarded as hypoallergenic. Our previous studies have shown that pollen extracts ofJ. ashei, J. virginiana, J. pinchotii, Cupressus macrocarpa, Pinus echinata andP. taeda all contained several proteins with the same molecular weights including the reported allergen ofJ. ashei. The present study compared the biochemistry ofJ. ashei, J. virginiana andP. echinata pollen. A time course experiment ofJ. ashei, J. virginiana andP. echinata showed thatJ. ashei released a greater quantity of protein within the first minute of moistening. SDS-PAGE analyses showed that the reported allergen ofJ. ashei pollen extracts was released in large quantities within the first minute of extraction. It was also determined that individual pollen grains ofP. echinata contained a greater quantity of protein than the pollen ofJ. ashei andJ. virginiana, but due to the large size of pine pollen there was less protein per gram of pollen. Lipid analysis of these three taxa showed that the pollen ofP. echinata contained more lipid per grain and per gram of pollen. Results indicate that the rapid release of the reported allergen fromJ. ashei pollen contributes to the allergenicity of this species compared to bothJ. virginiana andP. echinata.     

Reproducibility between counts of airborne allergenic pollen from two cities in the East Midlands,UK

Historically in the East Midlands, UK, airborne pollen has been monitored in two cities, Derby and Leicester, situated 41 km (25 miles) apart. The aim of the present study was to compare aerobiological data from both sites to determine if a forecast based on data from one site would be sufficient for both, and to address the wider issue of reproducibility between geographically separated sites. Pollen types recorded could be split into two groups according to annual abundance, maximum daily concentration and the number of high count days. Six taxa made up the abundant group; ash, birch, grass, oak, nettle-type and yew-type, representing 90 and 88% of the total air spora for Derby and Leicester, respectively. Three consecutive years of grass and nettle pollen data are presented, supported by one year of abundant tree pollen data. There were highly significant positive correlations between the counts obtained. Line charts showing the average number of pollen grains m⁻³ air day⁻¹ show similar trends, and Bland–Altman plots show little discrepancy between the amounts of pollen counted on any given day. Each day was classified according to the UK accepted threshold levels for grass. Weighted kappa statistics showed substantial or almost perfect agreement between the forecast classifications. With the caveat that this would not apply in a region with restrictions to air flow such as a mountain range or with extreme fluctuations such as a coastline site, this study suggests that data from a single site is suitable for forecasting a distance of up to 41 km.     

A comparative study of allergenic and potentially allergenic enzymes fromDermatophagoides pteronyssinus,D. farinae andEuroglyphus maynei

The presence of the enzymatically active allergens equivalent toDer p I (cysteine protease),Der p III (serine protease) and amylase in extracts ofDermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae andEuroglyphus maynei was determined using appropriate enzymatic techniques. Biochemical equivalents of all three allergens were present in each extract studied. Studies also showed that the mite extracts contained a variety of other biochemically active enzymes including trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase A and B, glucoamylase and lysozyme. Marked differences in the relative concentrations of some of these enzymes in different mite extracts were observed, particularly trypsin and carboxypeptidase A. The enzymes were physicochemically similar to equivalent enzymes from vertebrate and invertebrate sources. Chromatofocusing studies of faecal extracts derived fromD. pteronyssinus andD. farinae showed that several isoforms of each enzyme were present. The data indicated that there were more trypsin isoforms, with pI over a wider range, in extracts prepared fromD. pteronyssinus. Proteases and carbohydrases were also found in extracts prepared from faecally enriched material suggesting that they were endoperitrophic and associated with mite digestion. The data suggest that not only are the group I, III and amylase allergens a consistent feature of most pyroglyphid dust mites but also that other proteases and carbohydrases present in mite faeces are allergenic.     

Fluctuations and trends in airborne concentrations of some abundant pollen types,monitored at Vienna,Leiden, and Brussels

The annual sums of daily airborne pollen concentrations fluctuate from year to year. It has been suggested that for some taxa there is a regular or alternating pattern in these fluctuations. On the other hand, environmental changes may lead to decreasing or increasing trends in airborne pollen concentrations. These two phenomena can only be studied reliably on the basis of long-term volumetric observations of abundantly occurring pollen types. For this study two arboreal (Betula and Quercus) and two herbaceous (Poaceae and Urtica) types were chosen.

For some of these pollen types a weak but significant trend is observed. For the arboreal types (Quercus and Betula) there appears to be a rather constant biennial fluctuating rhythm.     

Long-term trends in airborne fungal-spore concentrations: a comparison with pollen

We examined the long-term trends in airborne fungal-spore concentrations in Thessaloniki, Greece, over the period 1987–2005. We estimated trends in the spore levels for the 14 taxa that contribute at least 0.1 % to the total airborne spore concentration. We also tested for trends towards earlier, longer or more highly peaked spore seasons. There was decreasing concentration of spores for 11 of the 14 taxa, especially for Agrocybe, Botrytis, Cladosporium, and Nigrospora, where this trend was significant. Using ANCOVA, there was a highly significant negative trend overall (p < 0.001). Regarding the spore-season related attributes, there were very few significant trends. However, the main spore season tended to start later (for 12 of the 14 taxa) and become shorter (for 10 of the 14 taxa); later onset was more pronounced during the most recent part of the study period. Fungi seem to display a delayed and slower response to climate change than plants and in a direction opposite to that of pollen.     

A comprehensive aerobiological study of the airborne pollen in the Irish environment

Respiratory allergies triggered by pollen allergens represent a significant health concern to the Irish public. Up to now, Ireland has largely refrained from participating in long-term aerobiological studies. Recently, pollen monitoring has commenced in several sampling locations around Ireland. The first results of the pollen monitoring campaigns for Dublin (urban) and Carlow (rural) concerning the period 2017–2019 and 2018–2019, respectively, are presented herein. Additional unpublished pollen data from 1978–1980 and, 2010–2011 were also incorporated in creating the first pollen calendar for Dublin. During the monitoring period over 60 pollen types were identified with an average Annual Pollen Integral (APIn) of 32,217 Pollen × day/m³ for Dublin and 78,411 Pollen × day/m³ for Carlow. The most prevalent pollen types in Dublin were: Poaceae (32%), Urticaceae (29%), Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (11%), Betula (10%), Quercus (4%), Pinus (3%), Fraxinus (2%), Alnus (2%) and Platanus (1%). The predominant pollen types in Carlow were identified as Poaceae (70%), Urticaceae (12%), Betula (10%), Quercus (2%), Fraxinus (1%) and Pinus (1%). These prevalent pollen types increased in annual pollen concentration in both locations from 2018 to 2019 except for Fraxinus. Although higher pollen concentrations were observed for the Carlow (rural) site a greater variety of pollen types were identified for the Dublin (urban) site. The general annual trend in the pollen season began with the release of tree pollen in early spring, followed by the release of grass and herbaceous pollen which dominated the summer months with the annual pollen season coming to an end in October. This behaviour was illustrated for 21 different pollen types in the Dublin pollen calendar. The correlation between ambient pollen concentration and meteorological parameters was also examined and differed greatly depending on the location and study year. A striking feature was a substantial fraction of the recorded pollen sampled in Dublin did not correlate with the prevailing wind directions. However, using non-parametric wind regression, specific source regions could be determined such as Alnus originating from the Southeast, Betula originating from the East and Poaceae originating from the Southwest.