Article
Allergy caused by Oilseed Rape – a rising danger?
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Authors
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Michael Kuehn
- Division Aviation Physiology, German Airforce Institute of Aviation Medicine, Koenigsbrueck, Germany
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Guido Muehlmeier
- German Forces Military Hospital, Department for ENT and Head & Neck Surgery, Ulm, Germany
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Heinz Maier
- German Forces Military Hospital, Department of ENT, Head & Neck Surgery, Ulm, Germany
| Published: | July 8, 2008 |
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Outline
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The increasing cultivation of oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus) in order to gain renewable energy resources leads to a rising exposition against volatile plant components. OSR is particularly pollinated by wind and contains a lot of different allergenic proteins, so the importance of OSR allergy remains still unclear.
Methods: Between January 2006 and June 2007 762 patients were identified as sensitized to pollen by skin prick testing. In 53 patients prick testing showed an at least low positive reaction against OSR pollen. Allergen profiles, cross allergies and the prevalence of pan-allergens were examined in these patients.
Results: Relevant amounts of specific IgE antibodies against OSR pollen were found in 35% of these patients. They had significantly increased total IgE-values, 89% had additional allergies to different pollen and 56% had IgE-antibodies against profilins. In 52% we observed a positive OSR nasal allergen challenge.
Conclusion: The distribution of concomitant allergens in OSR allergics indicates increased rates of cross allergies. Single OSR allergy was observed in only 3 cases. Furthermore around 20 mucosa-irritating volatile compounds seem to amplify the symptoms in OSR pollen allergy. The treatment of OSR allergy should be focused on the cross allergies first. So far in only a few cases there is an indication for specific immunotherapy (SIT).
