Wide variations in the allergen content of birch pollen

Working at different sites in Europe, researchers from the Allergy and Environment Centre, run jointly by the Helmholtz Zentrum München and the Technische Universität München, have now discovered that the allergen content of the same amounts of birch pollen varies up to 10-fold from day to day. Their study shows that the intensity of the allergic reaction is due not only to the amount of pollen but also to its degree of maturation. “In our EU project HIALINE [Health Impacts of Airborne Allergen Information Network], we’ve expanded our focus beyond birches and grasses to include olive trees,” says Professor Jeroen Buters. The researchers are now measuring the amounts of pollen and their allergen content and relating this data to the symptoms of allergy sufferers. They hope that the integrated approach to measurements will result in more precise allergy predictions. So far the study has also led to a better understanding and improved management of allergy symptoms.

Andreas Fischer