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Background:
Peltophorum
pterocarpum and
Delonix regia are
dominant avenue
trees in the city of
Kolkata in India.
They are well
adapted to the humid
tropical climate and
also grow commonly
in different parts
of the country.
Their pollen grains
are reported to be
airborne.
Objective:
The aim of this
study was to conduct
an aerobiological
survey in Kolkata to
determine the
concentration and
seasonal periodicity
of pollen grains
from P pterocarpum
and D regia and to
analyze the
meteorological
factors responsible
for their levels in
the atmosphere. In
addition, we
analyzed the
prevalence of
sensitization due to
these grains among
patients with
seasonal respiratory
allergy.
Methods: An
aerobiological
survey was conducted
with a volumetric
Burkard sampler from
2004 to 2006.
Correlations between
meteorological
parameters and
pollen grain
concentrations were
assessed by Spearman
correlation test.
The protein profi le
of the pollen
extracts was studied
by sodium dodecyl
sulfate
polyacrylamide gel
electrophoresis.
Finally, the
allergenic potential
of the pollen
extracts was
evaluated in
patients with
respiratory allergy
by skin prick test,
immunoglobulin (Ig)
E enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay,
and IgE
immunoblotting.
Results: P
pterocarpum and D
regia pollen grains
occur from March to
June and April to
July, respectively.
The pollen
concentrations
showed statistically
signifi cant
positive
correlations with
maximum temperature
and wind speed.
Positive reactions
to P pterocarpum and
D regia were
observed in 26% and
22% of the patients,
respectively. Many
protein bands were
detected in the
pollen extracts over
a wide molecular
weight range. A
total of 5 (P
pterocarpum pollen)
and 8 (D regia
pollen) protein
fractions were
detected by IgE
immunoblotting.
Conclusion: P
pterocarpum and D
regia pollen grains
are dominant in the
atmosphere of south
Kolkata and they are
infl uenced by
temperature. The
pollen grains
release proteins
that may be
responsible for
immediate
hypersensitivity
reactions in
sensitive patients.
Key words:
Aerobiology.
Meteorological
parameters. Pollen
grains. Respiratory
allergy. Skin prick
test. |
