Clinical significance of allergic sensitization toOlea europaea L. pollen in Naples area,Italy

Summary The aim of this study is the evaluation of clinical significance of the allergic sensitization toOlea europaea L. pollen allergens in the Naples area, because in the last 10 years an increasing frequency of IgE mediated sensitization to these allergens has been observed. 4124 patients of both sexes (2989 adults and 1153 children) consecutively examined in our Allergological Center from January 1, 1988 to December 30, 1989 have been considered in this study. The patients were selected on the basis of a history of rhinitis (R) and/or asthma (A) and were evaluated by clinical examination, SPT, RAST and specific or aspecific BPT. Among 2267 adults and 879 children sensitized to almost one aeroallergen we found respectively 306 (13.49%) and 75 (8.53%) subjects with an allergic sensitization toOlea europaea L. pollen. The frequency of clinical manifestation was respectively R+A (58.16%), R (39.54%), A (2.28%) in adults; R+A (61.33%), R (26.66%), A (12%) in children. A monosensitization toOlea europaea L. pollen was found in 1.33% of children and in 2.28% of adults examined. The association with other allergens especially with mites and/or other pollen was very common.