COMPARISON OF POLLEN DATA AND POLLEN-ASSO CIATED ORAL ALLERGY SYNDROME

The increase of pollen-associated oral allergy syndrome on the one han d and the observed increase in tree pollen counts on the other hand ar e indicators for a direct chain of cause and effect. The observed incr ease of pollen-associated oral allergy syndrome goes parallel with an increase of pollen, especially tree pollen which are relevant for inha lation allergy. During 15 years (1981-1995) the prevalence concerning apple and nut oral allergy syndrome has increased from 17.3% to 58.3%. The investigated tree pollen amount has increased during the period f rom 1969 to 1996 between a factor from 2.5 to 6.1 depending from the t ree type. The observed increase in the tree pollen amount may have dif ferent causes among them climatical changes, increased input of nutrie nts like CO2 or NOx but also a real increase of trees for example in p arcs and avenues. The increase of pollen-associated oral allergy syndr ome can hardly be explained by a change due to the eat habit. The incr ease of tree pollen instead, is well documented. However it is well po ssible that additional modifications of environmental factors might ha ve influenced the aggressifity of pollen, but this was not the subject of this investigation.