Particularities of pollen allergies in Greece

Abstract

Pollen allergy is a significant clinical problem in older Greek children causing approximately 25% of respiratory allergic disease in children of mean age 10 years. This is due to climatic conditions that favor rich and long pollinic seasons more so in Central and Southern Greece as well as the Greek islands. Similarities are evident between Greece and other Mediterranean countries, especially Southern Italy and Spain. Most prevalent allergenic plants with known clinical significance are grasses, Olea europaea and Parietaria species. The pollen grains of these plants can reach high atmospheric concentrations if the weather conditions are favorable, causing severe clinical symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma. Preseasonal and coseasonal drug administration as well as immunotherapy are used in the management of children with pollinosis. More aerobiologic and allergen identification studies at a local level are needed to fully evaluate the type and specific characteristics of pollen allergens in Greece. Furthermore, additional epidemiologic studies in children are necessary to fully appreciate the magnitude of the problem and the natural outcome.