SENSITIVITY OF IGG-ELISA FOR DETECTING AIRBORNE POLLEN ANTIGENS OF BETULACEAE

The reasons for the occurrence of high birch pollen antigen concentrat ions in the air, especially in small particle sizes and before the bir ch flowering period, have been closely studied. Some particles with po llen antigenic activity are known to be emitted from other parts of th e tree in addition to the catkins. Pollen from related species which f lower before the birch, or simultaneously with it, may provide another explanation for these antigen peaks. In the study reported here, birc h pollen antigenic activity before flowering was analysed in 1993 and 1994 using IgG-ELISA with polyclonal antibodies. A clear indication of the emission of small micronic particles with pollen antigenic activi ty before birch flowering was a peak before and during the pollen peri od of alder. Alder is the first tree to flower in the spring in Finlan d. Because of the high homology in the major allergens of the family B etulaceae, either polyclonal antibodies against birch pollen or monocl onal Bet v I can be recommended for both aerobiological monitoring and information service.