DIRECT DETERMINATION OF ALLERGENS IN AMBIENT AEROSOLS - METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS

In Switzerland the birch tree (Betula verrucosa) major allergen Bet v 1 and the grass (Phleum pratense) pollen major allergen Phl p 5 are of particular relevance for inducing pollinosis. In this study, the prot ein and major allergen contents of aerosols of different aerodynamic d iameters were determined. The aerosols were sampled by Andersen-Impact ors and submitted to protein assays and allergen assays (ELISA) specif ic for Bet v 1 and Phl p 5. The total protein, Bet v 1 and Phl p 5 con centrations were correlated with the corresponding pollen counts. The presence of Bet v 1 in smaller aerosol fractions was demonstrated befo re and after birch pollen was counted, especially in the lower pat-tid e size ranges.