Original Paper

Airborne Pollen Concentrations and the Incidence of Allergic Asthma and Rhinoconjunctivitis in Northern Italy from 1992 to 2003
E. Ridolo^a, R. Albertini^b, D. Giordano^b, L. Soliani^c, I. Usberti^b, P.P. Dall'Aglio^b

Departments of
^aClinical Sciences,
^bClinical Medicine, Nephrology and Health Sciences, and
^cEnvironmental Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

Address of Corresponding Author

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2007;142:151-157 (DOI: 10.1159/000096441)

  Key Words

• Aerobiology
• Asthma
• Pollen
• Rhinitis
• Rhinoconjunctivitis

  Abstract

Background: Aeroallergens and the environment play an important role in the pathogenesis of respiratory allergies. In a 12-year study carried out in Northern Italy (geographic area of Parma), the effects of airborne pollen and meteorological conditions on the incidence of allergic asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis were evaluated. Patients and Methods: Among 9,060 subjects examined for respiratory pathologies at our Allergy Unit, Parma Hospital, Italy, from 1992 to 2003, only 1,054 positive to only one type of inhalant allergen in the skin prick test were studied, to avoid bias of cross-reactivity. Allergy and clinical aspects were compared with the duration of the pollination period, and peaks and total concentrations of airborne pollen. Results: Our data showed a significantly growing trend of allergy to mites, pets and birch pollen and a significant increase in asthma, and a significantly decreasing trend of positive reactions to grasses and a decrease in rhinoconjunctivitis. At the same time, there was a significant decrease in total pollen counts, concentration peaks and pollination period of grasses. A significant increase was only observed in ragweed and ash-olive total and peak pollen concentrations. Conclusions: Significant correlations between the increasing incidence in asthma and allergy to mites, pets and birch pollen are shown. The decrease in the total pollen count and concentration peaks of grass pollen was correlated to the decreasing trend of rhinoconjunctivitis. The trend of increasing concentrations of ash-olive and ragweed pollen was not accompanied by an increase in the related allergy.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Correspondence to: Prof. Pierpaolo Dall'Aglio
Dipartimento di Clinica Medica, Nefrologia e Scienze della Prevenzione
U.O. di Clinica e Immunologia Medica, Via A. Gramsci, 14
IT-43100 Parma (Italy)
Tel. +39 052 129 0397, Fax +39 052 198 2719, E-Mail ppdaglio@unipr.it

  Article Information

Received: January 31, 2006
Accepted after revision: June 27, 2006
Published online: October 20, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 33