Pollinosis in a Mediterranean area (Riviera Ligure, Italy): ten years of pollen counts, correlation with clinical sensitization and meteorological data.

Abstract

We present in this study the results of 10 years of pollen counts in the atmosphere of San Remo, Italy. These results were compared with clinical sensitizations in 5481 pollen-allergic patients of both sexes (children and adults) living in the same area. Pollen counts showed that the pollens found in greatest quantities were the Cupressaceae (22.4%), followed by the Urticaceae (Parietaria officinalis, 17.4%), the Oleaceae (Olea europaea, 10.8%) and the Pinaceae (10.1%), the Poaceae being present in smaller quantities (5.2%). In contrast, the clinical importance of these pollens, as assessed by anamnesis, skin tests and, in some instances, nasal or bronchial provocation tests, showed a high incidence of clinical sensitization to P. officinalis (41.8%) and Poaceae (29.5%); the other pollens, i.e., O. europaea (15.4%) and Cupressaceae (5.7%), were of lesser importance. These findings differ from data obtained in similar studies in other European countries, including other parts of Italy. A statistically significant positive correlation between pollen counts and some meteorological factors, especially temperature, was observed; for instance, the higher the average temperature in July of the previous year, the greater the airborne presence of Palmaceae, P. officinalis and Cupressaceae.