Study of airborne pollen composition and allergen spectrum of hay fever patients in South Hungary (1990–1999)

On the basis of their 10-year-longaeropalynological and allergological studies,the authors examined the changes in theallergen spectrum of hay fever patients inconnection with the seasonality of the symptomsand pollen count of this period of 10 years.The results of skin prick tests (SPT) and casehistories of patients examined in 1990/91 and1998/99 were compared. Pollen counting wasperformed with a Hirst-type pollen trap. By theend of the observed period, the ratio ofseverely polysensitized patients (4 or morepositive skin prick tests) increasedsignificantly according to the significantlyincreased amount of positive skin prick teststo trees, rye and plantain. As the seasonalityof the patients' symptoms did not change duringthis period, this increase in skin prick testpositivity means latent allergy. However, in afew years time, it may become manifest allergycausing symptoms in the early springtime.According to the results of pollen counting,the atmospheric pollen pollution of the regionwas markedly high during the possiblesensitization period of these patients.