Taxus cuspidata (Japanese yew) pollen nasal allergy

We have investigated the Taxus cuspidata pollinosis that has never been stu died before. We applied immunoblotting method in order to detect specific I gE antibody against T. cuspidata using its pollen itself. Out of 18 patient s with seasonal allergic rhinitis suffering mainly in April and May, 5 pati ents were sensitized with this pollen. Furthermore, we were able to diagnos e one case as T. cuspidata pollinosis from the clinical and laboratory find ings. While the birch pollen is the main causative pollen in the spring, T. cuspidata is one of the minor allergens causing pollinosis in our district . (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.