JUNIPERUS OXYCEDRUS - A NEW ALLERGENIC POLLEN FROM THE CUPRESSACEAE FAMILY

Background: Cupressaceae allergy is a worldwide pollinosis caused by s everal species. Some species in limited geographic areas pollinate in fall and winter. Juniperus oxycedrus matches these features. Objective : We sought to define the immunochemical, allergologic, and environmen tal aspects of J. oxycedrus pollen. Methods: Pollen extract from J, ox ycedrus was prepared and characterized by biochemical analysis and hum an specific IgE binding by means of ELISA and immunoblotting, A 3-year phenological study was conducted to define the pollinating period of J. oxycedrus. Forty consecutive patients allergic to cypress were recr uited in two areas and divided into two groups according to their expo sure to J, oxycedrus pollen, Clinical evaluation, skin prick tests, an d specific IgE determination with J. oxycedrus, J, ashei, and Cupressu s arizonica extracts were carried out on both groups. Results: J. oxyc edrus pollen extract was obtained, and it shotted specific IgE binding and wide cross-reactivity with other Cupressaceae species. The extrac t caused a positive skin test response in all the patients tested, wit h about 80% of them having detectable specific IgE. Symptoms related t o J. oxycedrus pollen exposure were recorded in 72% of the directly ex posed patients and occasionally in 9% of the nonexposed patients. In t he Mediterranean coastal area considered, J, oxycedrus was the first C upressaceae species that started to pollinate at the beginning of Nove mber and ended in the first part of December, Conclusions: J. oxycedru s represents a newly characterized pollen species of the Cupressaceae family that cross-reacts with other members of the same family. Subjec ts with cypress allergy have in vivo and in vitro positive test respon ses for J. oxycedrus and can show symptoms when exposed to its pollen. Finally, the most important feature of J. oxycedrus is its early poll inating period in southern Europe (Italy), causing a further extension of the cypress pollen season in areas where other Cupressaceae specie s are present.