Regional pollen load: Effect on sensitisation and clinical presentation of seasonal allergic rhinitis in patients living in Ankara, Turkey

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BACKGROUND: Although Gramineae pollens are the main reason for seasonal allergy in many parts of Europe, the influence of regional flora on sensitisation and symptoms has always been a topic of interest. The aim of this study was to document the sensitisation to pollens and to evaluate their clinical importance in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis living in Ankara/central Anatolia. METHODS: The study included those subjects with seasonal allergic rhinitis living in Ankara. Skin prick testing with a panel of common aeroallergens as well as grass, individual tree and weed pollens predominant in the region was performed. The patients were followed by symptom-medication scores during the same season in which regional pollens were also counted. RESULTS: The final eligible study consisted of 54 subjects (F/M: 26/28; mean age: 29.4 years). Trees were the most common pollen source consisting of 95 % of the total amount, followed by grasses (3 %) and weeds (2 %). Sensitisation to Gramineae, to at least one weed; and to tree pollens were 100 %, 85.2 % and 94.4 %, respectively. The most common positive skin tests among tree pollens were to Oleaceae (59.2 %), Aesculus (57.4 %); and Tilia (42.5 %) despite low pollen counts. Chenopodiaceae (88 %) and Plantago (63 %) were the most sensitised weed pollens, with high pollen counts. All patients had significant symptoms during May and June. CONCLUSION: Although Gramineae pollens seem to be major allergens for seasonal allergic rhinitis in Ankara, the particular role of tree pollens and weed pollens cannot be discarded on symptom development in sensitised patients.