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. 2020 Aug 10:10:35.
doi: 10.1186/s13601-020-00339-6. eCollection 2020.

The association between airborne pollen monitoring and sensitization in the hot desert climate

Maryam A Al-Nesf  1 , Dorra Gharbi  1   2 , Hassan M Mobayed  1 , Blessing Reena Dason  1 , Ramzy Mohammed Ali  1 , Salma Taha  1 , Amjad Tuffaha  3 , Mehdi Adeli  3 , Hisham A Sattar  4 , Maria Del Mar Trigo  2
Affiliations

The association between airborne pollen monitoring and sensitization in the hot desert climate

Maryam A Al-Nesf et al. Clin Transl Allergy. .

Abstract

Background: Pollen is a major cause of allergic respiratory diseases. In Qatar, data on the presence and prevalence of allergenic airborne types of pollen is quite limited.

Methods: The study aimed to determine and correlate the most frequently implicated airborne pollen detected by aerobiological monitoring samplers in respiratory allergy symptoms. An aerobiological survey was started on May 8, 2017. Airborne pollen was collected using two Hirst type seven-day recorder volumetric traps. Skin prick test in patients attending allergy clinics in Doha using commercial extracts was conducted.

Results: Twenty-five pollen types representing the native, as well as the introduced plants, with a relatively low daily mean concentration were observed from May 2017 to May 2019. The highest pollen concentrations were reached by Amaranthaceae (58.9%), followed by Poaceae (21.7%). SPT revealed a comparatively higher degree of sensitization to pollen. Among 940 patients, 204 were sensitized to pollen (54% female) with 135 (66.2%) and 114 (55.8%) to Amaranthaceae and Poaceae, respectively. Some patients had polysensitization. There was a statistically significant association between Amaranthaceae, and asthma (r = 0.169, P = 0.016) and allergic rhinitis (r = 0.177, P = 0.012).

Conclusions: This is the first study to monitor airborne pollen in the state of Qatar. The main pollen detected were Amaranthaceae and Poaceae. Pollen may represent a possible exacerbating factor in adult patients with allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Keywords: Aerobiology; Allergy; Pollen; Qatar; Skin prick test.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThere are no commercial associations that might pose a conflict of interest. We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication, and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. We confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. We further confirm that the order of the authors listed in the manuscript has been approved by all of the authors. We confirm that we have given due consideration to the protection of intellectual property associated with this work and that there are no impediments to publication, including the timing of publication, with respect to intellectual property. In doing so, we confirm that we have followed the regulations of our institutions concerning intellectual property. We further confirm that any aspect of the work covered in this manuscript that has involved either experimental animals or human patients has been conducted with the ethical approval of all relevant bodies and that such approvals are acknowledged within the manuscript. We understand that the corresponding author is the sole contact for the editorial process (including the editorial manager and direct communications with the office). She is responsible for communicating with the other authors about the progress, submission of revisions, and the final approval of proofs. We confirm that we have provided a current, correct email address which is accessible by the corresponding author.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Seasonal variation of the daily mean total count (pollen grain/m3) of pollen in the sampling sites. Two sampling stations in two different cities recorded pollens over 2 years in the atmosphere of Qatar. The seasonal peak was observed in the periods between August to October, and February to March. The maximum concentration of pollen was 40 pollen grains/m3
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Seasonal variation of the daily mean concentration (pollen grain/m3) of the two main pollen (Amaranthaceae and Poaceae) in the aerobiological sampling sites Doha and Al Khor. Higher airborne pollen concentration was detected in the atmosphere of Qatar in the year 2017–2018
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Frequency of sensitization to individual pollen allergens (n = 204). Some patients have more than one allergen
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The distribution of allergic diseases among adult patients who attended the allergy clinics in Qatar during the study period (n = 557)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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