Evaluation of the allergenicity of tropical pollen and airborne spores in Singapore

Background: Sensitization to pollen and spores of the Southeast Asian tropi cal region is not well documented. This study evaluated the allergenicity o f the tropical airspora in Singapore. Methods: On the basis of the results of an aerobiologic survey of the airsp ora profile of Singapore, crude extracts of 23 main spore (fungal and Fern) and pollen types were prepared. A total of 231 patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis and 76 healthy controls were evaluated by skin prick les t (SPT). Total and specific IgE levels were also quantified by the fluoresc ence allergosorbent test (FAST). Results: All 23 allergenic extracts tested elicited positive SPT responses. Among the patients with atopic diseases, extracts of oil-palm pollen (Elae is guineensis) were observed to have the highest frequency of positive reac tions (40%), followed by extracts of resam-fern spores (Dicranopteris linea ris) (34%) and sea-teak pollen (Podocarpus polystachyus) (33.8%). Fungal sp ores with the highest SPT responses were Curvularia spp. (26-32%) and Drech slera-like spores (31%). Positive responses to these extracts correlated wi th total serum IgE levels of the subjects and were significantly associated with the presence of atopic disease. Conclusions: We have documented sensitization to tropical pollen and spores in our population. Its association with atopy suggests that it has a role in allergic diseases in the tropics.