Sensitization to grass, ragweed, mugwort pollen allergens in Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata): preliminary report

Background The natural occurrence of Japanese cedar (CJ, Cryptomeria japoni ca) pollinosis has been reported in Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata). Furt hermore, most of these monkeys with CJ pollinosis have immunoglobulin (Ig) E sensitization to Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) pollen. However, specific IgE to other pollens has not yet been reported. Objectives The present study was designed to investigate IgE sensitization of Japanese monkeys to grass, ragweed, and mugwort pollen. Methods Serum samples from 47 monkeys as a general population in one troop were collected at random. We measured specific IgE to grass, ragweed and mu gwort pollen. Next, 10 monkeys with CJ pollinosis from the same troop were also examined for their IgE sensitization to grass, ragweed, and mugwort po llen. Results Of 47 monkeys, 13 (28%) had specific IgE to CJ pollen, 15 (32%) to grass pollen, five (11%) to ragweed pollen, and three (6%) to mugwort polle n. Furthermore, CJ pollinosis monkeys seemed to be sensitized to these poll en allergens with higher frequency; of 10 monkeys, 10 (100%) had specific I gE to CJ pollen, six (60%) to grass pollen, four (40%) to ragweed pollen, a nd two (20%) to mugwort pollen. Conclusions Japanese monkeys had specific IgE to grass, ragweed, and mugwor t pollen in addition to CJ pollen.