The first approach towards recognising allergy-provoking flora in Belluno and its relationship with allergic phenomena

Summary The town of Belluno has a high number of wild and cultivated plants whose pollen has various degrees of importance from an allergological point of view.In this preliminary study we have taken into consideration the distribution and the flowering period of these species, correlating them with the data on the quantity and type of pollen collected by a sampler placed on the roof of the City Hospital, and also with the results of the allergometric tests (Prick Tests) carried out in the Broncho-Pneumological Department during the first 9 months of 1990.The wild specis of spring-flowering trees which can be found in the woods surrounding the city (Fagaceae, Betulaceae, Corylaceae) and along the gravel banks of the Piave river (Salicaceae) as well as the Graminaceae which are widespread both in the urban area and in the fields outside the city and some cultivated species (Robinia, Tilia, Acer) which flower a little later, are the species which produce most pollen and which are held responsible for allergies. However, only the pollen of the Graminaceae gave rise to cases of mono-sensitivity (16%) (apart from one case of Betulaceae and Corylaceae and one case ofArtemisia as well asDermatophagoides) (9.7%). For the other species, the positive reactions were associated with the positive reactions to the pollen of other species belonging to different families and/or to other factors.