Pollinosis due to Australian pine (Casuarina): an aerobiologic and clinical study in southern Spain

Abstract

An aerobiologic and clinical survey was conducted in Málaga, southern Spain, in order to determine fluctuations of Australian pine (Casuarina) pollen in the atmosphere of the city, and the prevalence of sensitivity in a nonatopic population. The aerobiologic survey, using a Burkard spore trap, was conducted from January 1991 to December 1994, and sensitization was ascertained by the skin prick test. The pollen season is relatively short and the pollen dispersion period occurs during October and November, mainly during the last 3 weeks of October. Diurnal patterns showed that the highest concentrations of pollen occur between 12 a.m. and 2 p.m., the most influential variables in its dispersion being temperature, sunshine, and rainfall. The prevalence of sensitization to Casuarina pollen was determined by skin prick test (SPT) in a nonatopic population of 210 patients with a previous history of autumn rhinitis, asthma, or rhinitis asthma. Six subjects showed a positive reaction to the pollen extracts, and the presence of specific IgE was demonstrated by the conventional radioallergosorbent test (RAST > or = 2) in five of these patients with positive SPT.